Another Pemra warning to channel for levelling charges without proof

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Friday warned a private news channel, ARY News, for airing an “irresponsible and baseless” analysis without any proof on appointments and promotions of Generals in the Pakistan Army.

A Pemra statement said: “Having monitored channels for the last few months, we noted that during a talk show, the hosts deliberately discussed sensitive issues in such an irresponsible and casual manner, which is unacceptable by journalism standards.”

The statement noted that the postings, appointments and promotions in Pakistan's armed forces were done on the basis of merit, not keeping in view an individual's “caste such as Arain, Jutt, Butt, and Chaudhry”, as claimed in a talk show aired on February 9.

The Authority statement noted: “Moreover, their analysis on meetings between the political and military leadership are speculative and nowhere in the world is media allowed to present such misleading views.”

The Pemra warned the private TV channel’s top management against airing such views that violated the Pemra amendment ordinance, Pemra rules and code of conduct and Article 19-A of the Constitution.

“At a time when the army is battling terrorism and a number of its men have laid down their lives, airing such views is unacceptable and Pemra will take strict action if the channel airs such analyses again,” the Authority made it clear.