The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned broadcasting ‘live and recorded’ speeches and press conferences of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels.
According to a Notification issued by PEMRA, “It has been observed that Imran Khan [Chairman PTI] in his speeches/statements is continuously alleging state institutions by leveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions and officers which is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility”
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PEMRA noted that airing of “baseless allegations, the hateful, slanderous and unwarranted statement” against state institutions and officers was in sheer violation of Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan and a judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) passed in Suo Moto Case.
It further directed all satellite TV channels to ensure that an impartial Editorial Board is constituted as required under Clause 17 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015 in order to ensure that no one uses their platform for uttering remarks in any manner “which are contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation”.
It warned of legal action as per Pemra laws in case of any violation of the directives.
