Pemra directs TV channel to air apology on NAB complaint

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Council of Complaints, Islamabad, has directed the Samaa TV to immediately air apology for airing baseless and defamatory news report against National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman.

The Council directed the TV channel to air the apology in the same manner and magnitude. The Council also recommended that in case of non-compliance Pemra may proceed against the TV channel as per law.

The Council was hearing two different complaints of NAB against the TV channel for airing baseless and defamatory news reports. NAB in its complaint to Pemra dated September 9, 2015 had sought appropriate action against the TV channel under the law for airing unverified false and baseless news against the Bureau and its chairman on September
8, 2015 between 8:30 to 9:00 pm.

According to the complaint, the TV channel while referring to the investigation of Dr Asim Hussain had alleged involvement of the NAB chairman in financial corruption which was immediately rebutted by the spokesman of Sindh Rangers.

In another complaint against the same channel dated November 30, 2015, NAB had pleaded that the TV channel repeated an attempt to tarnish the image and repute of the Bureau and its chairman by airing false and concocted news on November 18, 2015 which was also immediately rebutted by the spokesman Wapda.

The Council after hearing the both parties and in the light of evidences directed the TV channel to immediately air an apology in the same manner and magnitude, failing which Pemra to proceed against the channel as per law.