Projection of parallel ideas is agenda, not criticism: SC

Says criticism is everyone’s right; two people sit on channels and defame anyone; is derailment of democratic system not discussed?; Pemra ought to give exemplary punishments; Pemra is after only obscenity; Manto is also termed obscene by some people; obscenity can’t be ignored; moral values will be explained if need be; ideology belongs to only Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam; talk against Quaid and Allama Iqbal does not bother anyone; Pemra report rejected

ISLAMABAD: Criticism is the right of everyone but projection of parallel ideas is an agenda not criticism. Two people sit on channels and defame anyone, the Supreme Court of Pakistan said on Tuesday.

The apex court sought a comprehensive report from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on measures being taken so far to discourage programmes and advertisements disseminating obscenity on TV channels.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, heard the suo moto case on obscenity on TV channels. The court observed that Pemra was effectively monitoring the contents, run on TV channels. Justice (R) Wajihuddin Ahmed and former Ameer Jamaat Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed (late) had wrote letters to Chief Justice against obscenity aired on TV channels.

Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked that television anchors are bribed with money to run their shows, adding that they slander people during the talk shows. 

The CJ further said that Pemra was not serious in taking substantial measures but only issues warning. He observed that there will be no issue or problem if the code of conduct formulated by the authority is followed by the channels in letter and spirit.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, another member of the bench, recalled that during the dictatorship era, female newscasters refusing to cover their heads with scarf (Dupatta) while appearing on TV screen had to lose their jobs.

He observed that decent language is not used during talk shows adding that media has the right to criticise but criticism should not cross the limits. “But we don’t want such a silence as well when doors for criticism get blocked,” Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed added. During the course of hearing, the court asked counsel for PEMRA as to whether discussion in talk shows was not made regarding derailing the democratic process 

Counsel for Pemra however submitted before the court that channels violating code of conduct of the authority were issued notices.  “But there should be exemplary punishment and the authority should not issue mere warnings”, the CJ remarked adding there would be no problem, provided TV channels strictly follow the code of conduct of the authority.

 The supreme court observed, Pemra is after only obscenity whereas Manto is also termed obscene by some people. Obscenity can't be ignored, the court said adding that moral values will be explained if need be. The court observed talk against Quaid and Allama Iqbal do not bother anyone. Ideology belongs to only Pakistan and Quaid-i-Azam.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing for a month after seeking reports from Pemra and PTA explaining as to what parameters have been set for discouraging programs and advertisements disseminating obscenity on TV channels.