Neo TV boss defiant in face of PEMRA ban

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 9 years ago

ISLAMABAD – Chaudhary Abdur Rehman, Chairman Neo TV is defiant in the face of a seven-day ban slapped on his channel by electronic media watchdog PEMRA.

“We are being punished for raising the voice of Pakistanis and the suppressed. If my channel is shut down for talking about Pakistan, I will continue to do so,” he said, addressing staff members.

He said that when “I return after the ban, I will speak out even louder for Kashmir and Pakistan. If we have to live, we will have to stand up for ourselves.”

The ban came into effect December 1 and was imposed after the channel hurled allegations against a Supreme Court judge, according to PEMRA. The organization was also fined Rs1 million.

Journalists in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have protested the ban.

Explore Further

Family and team revive Arshad Sharif’s YouTube channel

December 29, 2025: Arshad Sharif’s YouTube channel has been revived by his family with support from longtime colleagues, aiming to preserve his legacy through memories and personal stories, not news.

Journalism is lost in Balochistan, Freedom Network study finds

December 28, 2025: A new Freedom Network report finds journalism in Balochistan under severe pressure, citing censorship, violence, economic decline, and digital isolation across Pakistan’s largest province.

Journalists outraged over treatment of KP leaders in Punjab Assembly

December 27, 2025: Pakistani journalists condemn the treatment of a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation at the Punjab Assembly, raising concerns over media ethics, inter-provincial respect, and political conduct.

10 reasons why journalism matters more in Pakistan in 2026

December 26, 2025: Despite rising threats and misinformation, journalism in Pakistan remains vital in 2026. Here are 10 reasons why independent reporting is crucial for public trust and accountability.

Media control at play on ARY News or a broadcast mishap

December 26, 2025: A video showing Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal briefly interrupted during a live ARY News interview has gone viral, prompting debate over media control and official clarifications.

Pakistani media in 2025 tested by layoffs, laws, and trust

December 25, 2025: An in-depth year-ender examining how Pakistani media navigated layoffs, legal pressure, censorship, and innovation in 2025, highlighting key reporting, risks, and what lies ahead.

Journalism at a crossroads as press freedom erodes in Pakistan

December 21, 2025: Pakistan’s journalism faces growing repression through intimidation, PECA cases, economic pressure, and enforced silences, raising urgent questions about press freedom.

Matiullah Jan calls out journalist unions over cozy ties with authorities

December 20, 2025: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan criticizes journalist union leadership at an Islamabad conference, calling for reform, youth inclusion, and a stronger collective response to Pakistan’s media crisis.

Newsroom

CBS journalists urge leadership to protect editorial independence

December 30, 2025 Current and former CBS journalists are organizing a petition urging leadership to protect editorial independence after a high-profile investigative segment was pulled, raising newsroom governance concerns.

Ghana media group condemns court restrictions on journalist

December 30, 2025 Ghana’s Private Newspapers and Online News Publishers Association condemns court-imposed restrictions on journalist Innocent Samuel Appiah, warning of risks to press freedom and anti-corruption reporting.

China threatens detention over sharing Uyghur songs

December 30, 2025 China is threatening detention for sharing Uyghur-language songs in Xinjiang, highlighting how cultural expression is criminalized under censorship and counterterrorism controls.

Court orders release of Turkish journalist pending appeal

December 29, 2025 Turkish appeals court orders the release of journalist Fatih Altayli pending appeal against his threat conviction, marking a key moment in Turkey’s press freedom environment.

Egyptian press honors excellence as media freedom questions persist

December 29, 2025 Egyptian journalist Ingy Abdel-Wahab won two honors at the 2025 Egyptian Press Awards, highlighting professional excellence while underscoring ongoing press freedom and editorial independence concerns in Egypt.