Pemra stops electronic media from airing hate speech

ISLAMABAD: Reacting to the airing of hate speech by the broadcast media, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Friday invoked Section 27 of Pemra Amendment Act 2007, and stopped broadcast media from airing any such speech or material that may harm national interest, Geo News reported.
Earlier, Pemra had issued show cause notices to 14 TV channels for airing Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s supremo Altaf Hussain’s speech and noted this was against the integrity of the country, and its institutions that they were involved in airing such unedited speeches.
The authority also warned all TV channels to immediately ensure delay mechanism to avoid such unwanted telecasts and cautioned that non-compliance of these directives could result in stern action under the Pemra laws.Earlier, the government moved had Pemra to take action against the TV channels that had broadcast the ‘hate speech’ by Altaf Hussain.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a letter, told the caretaker chairman of Pemra that despite supporting freedom of the media, the government condemned the elements that spread hate in the society. Seeking action in accordance with Section-27 of the Pemra Act, the letter said that the action should be directed towards TV channels for violating rules and regulations. It added that the speech incited hate among the masses.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, in a statement,Friday said that needless criticism of the national security institutions was tantamount to sheltering criminals.He said that institutions of national security were busy eradicating the country of terrorism and their efforts were laudable. The minister said that putting an end to this pointless criticism of security institutions was also part of defeating the terrorists.
The security forces were busy bringing the criminals to the book irrespective of their political affiliation, he noted. “Providing political shelter to such persons and groups can only be considered as an open support to them,” he added
“This is unacceptably outrageous. Institutions of national defence are above the politics,” the minister remarked while referring to the speech by Altaf.Rashid said Rangers, a paramilitary force, had done a commendable job restoring the social and business activities in Karachi. “The operation conducted by them in Karachi is only aimed at criminal elements,” the minister said.