Private TV channel fined Rs1m for indecent content 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has imposed Rs1 million fine on Samaa Television for airing “highly objectionable content” in one of its programmes.

Pemra release issued here said that the private TV channel had telecast in its programme ‘Wardaat’ a highly immoral SMS sent by a boy to a girl in the enactment of a crime on July 22 last year. 

“This deeply hurt not only the masses sentiments but also the Pemra had to face public reaction thereon, it being also in total negation of the Pemra rules and the code of conduct enforced on the orders of the Supreme Court, ” the authority statement said.

The TV channel was issued a notice and asked to reply to it within 14 days, which it did not and afterwards, the matter was referred to the Council of Complaints. The council held its meeting thereon on January 14 and after hearing the representatives of the TV channel and watching the recording, the forum recommended the fine. 

The council also recommended that if the channel repeated such act, either its license should be suspended or be cancelled. The authority would now take up the matter in its next meeting for further perusal and action.