PEMRA Issues Directives on Banning Coverage of Proscribed PTM – Notification

PAKISTAN ELECTRONIC MEDIA
REGULATORY AUTHORITY
ISLAMABAD

F. No. 03(07)/2024/OPS-BM/5492                                                                     Islamabad, October 8, 2024

All Satellite TV Channel Licensees

(News & Current Affairs and Regional Languages Channels)

Subject:                Directives on Proscribed Organization

Reference is invited to a notification No. 05-03/2022-(Petitions) dated October 06, 2024 issued by the Ministry of Interior wherein Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) was declared as proscribed organization. (copy enclosed).

2.                     Moreover, PEMRA, Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015 also prohibits coverage of proscribed organizations. Excerpt of the same is reproduced as under:

“3. Fundamental principles:- The licensee shall ensure that:-

(3) Statements of proscribed organizations or their representatives or members shall not be aired unless such statement is an admission which may be in the larger public interest for exposing ideology, abuse of religion or barbarianism provided always that such broadcast does not in any way aid, abet, glorify or give excuse to their means and ways in any shape or form”

3.                     Now therefore, all the satellite TV channels “News & Current Affairs” and “Regional Languages” are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance of clause 3(3) of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015, in letter and spirit while refraining from allocating airtime to the aforementioned organization and its associates.

4.                     This issues with approval of the Chairman PEMRA.

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