Press freedom review: From jail cells to cyberspace, threats to journalists multiply The right to know: Comparing access-to-information laws across Asia Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): How journalists verify information in the digital age Ethiopia expels French journalist after Tigray reporting Kane Williamson retires: The end of an era Javeria Siddique alleges cross-border smear campaign The JournalismPakistan Global Media Brief | Edition 24 | June 12, 2026 Four journalist legal cases, one death threat recorded in May Nahid Rana: Bangladesh's 152km/h fast-bowling force Global Fact-Checking Awards finalists spotlight AI misinformation fight Israel deports French journalist over West Bank reporting concerns World Cup hydration breaks open a new ad revenue stream Mali arrests of journalists spark press freedom concerns Rs14.1bn in government advertising emerges as media lifeline Public News case exposes journalism's verification gap Press freedom review: From jail cells to cyberspace, threats to journalists multiply The right to know: Comparing access-to-information laws across Asia Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): How journalists verify information in the digital age Ethiopia expels French journalist after Tigray reporting Kane Williamson retires: The end of an era Javeria Siddique alleges cross-border smear campaign The JournalismPakistan Global Media Brief | Edition 24 | June 12, 2026 Four journalist legal cases, one death threat recorded in May Nahid Rana: Bangladesh's 152km/h fast-bowling force Global Fact-Checking Awards finalists spotlight AI misinformation fight Israel deports French journalist over West Bank reporting concerns World Cup hydration breaks open a new ad revenue stream Mali arrests of journalists spark press freedom concerns Rs14.1bn in government advertising emerges as media lifeline Public News case exposes journalism's verification gap
Logo
Janu
AI in Media and Journalism

PEMRA bans DawnNews program for three days

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 20 March 2017

Join our WhatsApp channel

PEMRA bans DawnNews program for three days
PEMRA has banned the DawnNews program Zara Hut Kay for three days due to a discussion on a pending judicial reference. The ban begins on March 22 and ends on March 24.

ISLAMABAD – Electronic media regulator PEMRA has slapped a three-day ban on DawnNews program Zara Hut Kay for discussing a reference pending before the Supreme Judicial Council against Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of Islamabad High Court.

The ban comes into effect from March 22 (11:00 pm) and stretches till Macrh 24 (midnight).

The trio of anchors Mubashir Zaidi, Wusatullah Khan and Zara Khoro discussed the reference in their program aired on March 9.

PEMRA said discussing a matter pending before the Supreme Judicial Council was a violation of rules and regulations and the code of conduct as well as directives of the SJC dated November 21, 2015.

Through a show cause notice issued to DawnNews on March 10, the regulator had asked the channel to explain its position.

Representing DawnNews, Agha Bilal and Mubashir Zaidi appeared before a committee for hearing and denied any intention of slandering or attempting contempt of judiciary, directly or indirectly in the program.

DawnNews has also been asked to install time-delay mechanism and constitute an in-house editorial committee.

Key Points

  • PEMRA imposes a three-day ban on Zara Hut Kay program.
  • Ban is due to discussing a pending reference against Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.
  • The program aired the controversial segment on March 9.
  • DawnNews was asked to provide an explanation regarding the violation.
  • DawnNews must install a time-delay mechanism and form an editorial committee.

Ask AI: Understand this story your way

AI Enabled

Dig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.

Not sure what to choose? Try one of these.

The AI generates results based on your selected options
Your AI-generated results will appear here after you click the button.

Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.

Explore Further

GNN journalist reported missing in Islamabad

GNN journalist reported missing in Islamabad

 June 07, 2026: GNN journalist Yasir Ayaz Khan has been reported missing in Islamabad after leaving home around 5 pm on June 5; the channel filed a complaint, and police have opened a probe.

Newsroom
Press freedom review: From jail cells to cyberspace, threats to journalists multiply

Press freedom review: From jail cells to cyberspace, threats to journalists multiply

 June 14, 2026 Press freedom faces mounting challenges worldwide as journalists confront arrests, legal pressure, cyberattacks, online harassment, deportations, and reporting restrictions across multiple countries.


The right to know: Comparing access-to-information laws across Asia

The right to know: Comparing access-to-information laws across Asia

 June 14, 2026 Across Asia, RTI laws range from effective tools for journalism and accountability to paper laws weakened by bureaucracy, broad exemptions and poor enforcement.


Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): How journalists verify information in the digital age

Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): How journalists verify information in the digital age

 June 14, 2026 OSINT helps journalists verify social media, photos, videos, maps and public records to improve reporting accuracy and detect misinformation.


Ethiopia expels French journalist after Tigray reporting

Ethiopia expels French journalist after Tigray reporting

 June 13, 2026 Ethiopia expelled French reporter A. Passilly after Tigray reporting, drawing criticism from press groups as retaliatory and damaging to press freedom.


Kane Williamson retires: The end of an era

Kane Williamson retires: The end of an era

 June 13, 2026 Kane Williamson retired from international cricket after a Test at Lord's, closing a career of calm composure and roughly 19,000 runs across formats.


Popular Stories