Pemra bans channel’s show for five days

ISLAMABAD: Pemra on Thursday prohibited the morning show titled Geo Pakistan from broadcasting or rebroadcasting fresh, old or repeat on Geo News for a period of five days from April 03 to April 07 for airing objectionable/indecent content.

According to a Pemra statement, a fine of Rs1 million has also been imposed on Geo News and the channel has been further directed to activate in-house editorial committee to ensure compliance of the code of conduct 2015 and also time-delay mechanism effectively. It pointed out that in case of non-compliance, a process for suspension of licence under Section 30 of Pemra Ordinance, 2002 as amended by Pemra (Amendment) Act, 2007 shall be initiated.

Pemra noted that on receiving a number of complaints from citizens and senior journalists, a show cause notice was issued on March 15, 2017 to Geo News, asking them to explain their position within 15 days. However, after providing opportunity of personal hearing and examining the channel’s representative’s reply, Pemra concluded that by showing the objectionable content, Geo News had violated the electronic media code of conduct, 2015.

Meanwhile, the 128th Pemra meeting held here, approved Pemra’s budget for the financial year 2017-18. It also approved grant of qualification pay/PhD and Mphil allowance for the legible employees. 

The meeting accorded approval to assistance package for families of Pemra employees, who died during service in line with the package announced by the government. Pemra also approved a request for change in programming content with the same category for satellite TV channel ‘Filmazia’.