PTI leadership and journalists slam Pemra’s directive on discussions & analysis on TV shows
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has barred television anchors from giving their “opinions” during talk shows and limited their role to “moderator”.
The electronic media watchdog also directed the anchors hosting regular shows “not to appear as experts” in talk shows on their own or other channels.
Furthermore, the media houses have been advised to select the guests in talk shows with the utmost care and keeping given their knowledge and expertise in a particular subject.
The directive issued to all satellite TV channel licensees, says, “Participants/invitees should be selected with due care having credibility as fair and unbiased analysts with requisite knowledge/expertise on the subject matter.
As per Pemra’s code of conduct, the role of anchors is to moderate the programs in an objective, unbiased and impartial manner, excluding themselves from their personal opinions, biases, and judgments on any issue.
Therefore, anchors hosting exclusive regular shows should not appear in talk shows whether own or other channels as subject matter expert”.
PEMRA issues directives regarding discussions & analysis on Sub-judice matters pic.twitter.com/l5kJF31etK
— Report PEMRA (@reportpemra) October 27, 2019
This Pemra’s move to regulate news show panels has ignited a new debate. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s leaders have slammed the media watchdog for issuing this order, banning TV anchors from appearing on other talk shows.
Former finance minister Asad Umer, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari and Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chauhdry on Monday took to social media to express their concerns and dismay over Pemra’s decision.
Amazing decision by pemra to stop anchors to go on any other talk show and express their opinion! Pemra should be doing a better job taking action against completely fake news and not suppressing the right of individuals, including anchors, to express their opinion
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 28, 2019
PRMRA notification to ban anchors to appear on other shows is uncalled for, illogical and unnecessary totally agree with @ShireenMazari1 https://t.co/C2ueQAo7zK
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 28, 2019
Many media personnel and journalists also took to social media registering their protest over Pemra’s orders.
U turn???Now PEMRA is claiming that some people misinterpreted its yesterday “advisory” and there is no ban on anchors to appear on other shows pic.twitter.com/wOM6nvAnHI
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) October 28, 2019
Journalists condemn #PEMRA ban calling it as ‘dictatorial’
and vow to resist any move to gag #Press
ALL THOSE GAGGING THE PRESS AND CURBING MEDIA FREEDOMS WOULD BE EXPOSED.
#mediacurbsNoMore pic.twitter.com/58xMe8trDj— Arshad Sharif (@arsched) October 28, 2019
PEMRA, as media regulator, has to develop a capacity to lay down "general principles" derived from logic, constitutionalism & best Intl Practices & then examine if a violation has occurred. Issuing "illogical edicts" from time to time lowers PEMRA's legal & moral authority https://t.co/yrOmEVCEHp
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) October 28, 2019
Journalists/Anchors strongly condemn PEMRA ban calling it as ‘dictatorial’
and vow to resist any move to gag Press #mediacurbsNoMore pic.twitter.com/7Ld6dxN9hL— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) October 28, 2019
Comes the PEMRA explanation! Conjecture is the word. https://t.co/tpIQRA7ok8
— Gharidah Farooqi (@GFarooqi) October 28, 2019
Journalists strongly condemn PEMRA ban as it is ‘dictatorial’
And we will resist any move to gag Press, #mediacurbsNoMore pic.twitter.com/XCrrleFGgx— Kashif Abbasi (@Kashifabbasiary) October 28, 2019
Editors, reporters and out-of-work anchors had flagged censorship for a while. It has taken Pemra’s latest notification targeting influential anchors for this to happen. The statement holds the PTI responsible, adding that there is “material” or proof of censorship available. https://t.co/aScOa5Pyzd
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) October 28, 2019
However, new reports claim that Pemra has taken a U-Turn, issuing a new statement claiming that some people misinterpreted its advisory issued yesterday.
U turn???Now PEMRA is claiming that some people misinterpreted its yesterday “advisory” and there is no ban on anchors to appear on other shows pic.twitter.com/wOM6nvAnHI
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) October 28, 2019
We agreed to release a joint statement against a new PEMRA directive to ban our appearance in other shows-Hamid Mir,M.Malick,Kashif Abbasi,Shahzeb Khanzada,Arshid Sharif,Asma Shirazi,Amir Mateen,Rauf Klasra,Mehar Abbasi,Mazhar Abbas,Owais Tohid others can also join & support us
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) October 28, 2019
