BOL News converts tests into forced transmission

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 19 June 2015

BOL News has shifted to forced transmission due to government restrictions on its launch. The channel faces ongoing investigations related to its parent company, Axact.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: BOL News has converted its test transmission into ‘forced transmission’ with the government not allowing the channel to start regular transmission. The channel was scheduled to be formally launched on first of Ramadan but Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) blocked its transmission following a letter from Ministry of Information. Federal Investigation Agency is probing Axact, parent company of BOL, for its alleged involvement in selling fake degrees to students across the globe. The government says if the channel is allowed to start its regular transmission, this may influence the ongoing investigations against Axact. Journalists attached with the channel have not been paid their salaries so far, the government also having blocked bank accounts of the company. Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid assured Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on June 4 to unblock the company's bank accounts but the promise is yet to be honored. Future of BOL remains uncertain as its CEO and Chairman Shoaib Shaikh is in FIA's custody and being investigated about the degree-selling scam.

KEY POINTS:

• BOL News started forced transmission due to regulatory issues.
• PEMRA blocked the channel's regular transmission at the government's request.
• Axact, the parent company of BOL, is under investigation for fraud.
• Journalists at BOL have not received their salaries as accounts remain blocked.
• The future of BOL is uncertain with its CEO in custody.