PEMRA prohibits broadcast of content about conduct of incumbent SC, HC judges

PEMRA has prohibited the broadcast of content about the conduct of incumbent the Supreme Court SC, and High Court judges.

The development comes on Thursday as the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) with immediate effect, prohibited the broadcasting and rebroadcasting of content pertaining to the conduct of sitting high court and Supreme Court judges on electronic media.

Giving reference to Article 68 of the Constitution in its order, the regulatory body said, “Therefore, the competent authority i.e. chairman Pemra, in the exercise of delegated powers of the authority vested in Section 27(a) of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act 2007, prohibits broadcast/rebroadcast of any content pertaining to conduct of Honourable sitting judges of High Court and Supreme Court, in any manner, on electronic media (news bulletins, talks shows etc.), with immediate effect.”

Article 68 law states: “No discussion shall take place in [Majlis-e- Shoora (Parliament)] with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.”

“It was noted that despite repeated directives, satellite television channels were persistently discussing the conduct of honourable judges of superior courts and orchestrating a vilification campaign through airing slanderous allegations,” PEMRA said.

The authority added that airing any sort of content which prima facie referred to the conduct of judges or was against the superior judiciary was a sheer violation of the authority’s laws and judgements of the apex court.

In case of non-compliance, the licence will be suspended under Section 30 of the Pemra Ordinance, 2002 without any show cause notice in the public interest, the order stated.

PEMRA also directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an effective Time Delay Mechanism is put in place and an “impartial editorial board” is constituted.

As reported, the directives from the regulatory authority come in light of the audio leaks supposedly linked to a Supreme Court judge surfaced online.

On Feb 16, three audio clips, featuring former Punjab chief minister Parvez Elahi were leaked on social media.