KP seeks ban on live coverage of terrorism incidents

ISLAMABAD: KP government has asked the federal government and Pemra to ban live coverage of terrorism incidents.

Home and Tribal Affairs Department of KPK government’ letter No. PA/AS(Dev: & Fin) /HD/2015 dated January 23, 2016 written to federal secretary information and chairman PEMRA with the subject" APEX COMMITTEE MEETING - BAN ON LIVE COVERAGE OF TERRORIST INCIDENTS" reads; “It has been witnessed in the recent past that electronic media is giving live coverage to terrorist incidents which create despondency in the society and adversely affects the conduct of operation on site. This issue came under discussion in the Apex Committee meeting held on 22.01.2016 and it was decided to approach the federal government for considering implementation of ban on live coverage of such incidents.

2- It is, therefore, requested that all TV channels may please be stopped from live coverage of such incidents/ operations in the public interest.” The letter is signed by Munir Azam, home secretary, is dispatched to 1- HQ 11 Corps, Peshawar 2-principal secretary to the governor, KPK 3- principal secretary to the chief minister KPK 4- PSO to chief secretary KPK.

Sources told The News that PEMRA will take up this strong recommendation in its next authority meeting and the ban will be imposed as most news channels that are not ready to follow guidelines and rules despite repeated notices and warnings.