Rehman Malik seeks ban on satirical TV programs
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 5 May 2015
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Rehman Malik has urged the Senate to legislate against satirical programs that mock politicians. He believes these shows are too insulting for family viewing.Summary
ISLAMABAD: Senator Rehman Malik Tuesday urged the Senate members to come up with legislation against satirical television programs that have been ridiculing politicians for several years.
Speaking on a point of order, he said the government should take action against programs that have been mocking politicians under the garb of parody.
“These programs are so insulting which nobody can watch along with the families as they present politicians as jokers,” he said.
Malik said television channels have also been ridiculing the prime minister in their satirical shows but the government was unwilling to initiate any legal action against them.
“I’ve brought all this in notice of PEMRA but to no avail,” he said, adding the Upper House should do a legislation to ban such programs.
Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said PEMRA has all the powers to stop slur and abuse on television channels but “the officials are hand-picked and too incompetent to do the task.”
KEY POINTS:
- Malik calls for legal action against satirical TV shows.
- He cites programs that insult politicians as harmful to family viewing.
- PEMRA has been informed but has taken no action.
- Senate chairman highlights PEMRA's ineffectiveness in addressing the issue.
- Malik emphasizes the need for legislation to protect dignitaries.
