Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has sent notice to 14 TV Channels for airing hate speech of Chief of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Altaf Hussain against the state Institutions which implied towards threatening the state. The Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid Contacted PEMRA chief and after few hours the channels were issued with the show cause notice. PEMRA earlier made it compulsory for all the channels to install delay mechanism.
The Government took serious notice of the situation and directed the Chairman PEMRA to take action against the channels and take necessary steps to ensure that no elements ridicule any institute of the state. Freedom of media doesn’t imply airing everything even if it is against the state itself or which threatens the lives of public and/or challenges the state. The Minister said that the media must make sure that no one damages the Integrity of Pakistan using them.
PEMRA has also emphasized on the legal aspect of this happening and cleared that in accordance with the section 27 of Amendment 2007 broadcasting or rebroadcasting of such content will lead to serious implications and issues for the Channels. Non-adherence with the directives of PEMRA will lead to severe consequences for the channels.