PEMRA chairman laments electronic media's falling standards

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 8 years ago

ISLAMABAD – The head of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has suggested that television anchors declare their income tax returns and assets for the last 10 years if they were so honest and pious.

Absar Alam was speaking Wednesday at the Sargodha Press Club where he lamented falling standards of electronic media.

The News Thursday quoted him as saying “TV anchors believed that they could utter anything and were above the law. These people think that apologizing for a mistake will damage their honor.”

He said there were 800 cases pending in different courts as the channels often obtain stay orders from the courts each time PEMRA takes action against them.

Photo courtesy: Geo.tv

Dive Deeper

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.

Tarar says Rs86 crore worth of government ads given to Dawn Media Group

December 20, 2025: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar says the government allocated 86 crore in ads to Dawn Media Group, stressing transparency and that media groups manage employee payments.

Islamabad court grants post-arrest bail to journalist Sohrab Barkat

December 19, 2025: Islamabad court approves post-arrest bail for journalist Sohrab Barkat in a case linked to controversial videos and tweets filed by the National Cyber Crime Agency.

JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk memoir

December 19, 2025: JournalismPakistan cofounder Stephen Webb releases Dusk, a poetic memoir blending memory and myth, reflecting on Punjab villages, faith, and belonging shaped by decades in journalism.

Pakistan minister flags AI impact on advertising jobs

December 18, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister warns AI is disrupting advertising jobs and invites proposals to protect creative professionals, signaling an early policy debate on AI and employment.

PTI announces boycott of select TV anchors and talk shows

December 18, 2025: Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf announces a boycott of several prominent TV anchors and talk shows, directing party leaders and spokespersons to avoid appearing on the listed programs.

Pakistan to launch BEEP secure messaging app for officials

December 17, 2025: Pakistan plans to launch the BEEP secure messaging app for government officials by June 2026, modeled on WeChat, with end-to-end encryption and oversight by NITB.

Newsroom

Assaults on journalists in U.S. surge during 2025 protests

December 23, 2025 A Freedom of the Press Foundation report finds verified assaults on U.S. journalists surged in 2025, largely during protests, raising press safety and First Amendment concerns.

Indian media and the Pakistan fixation

December 23, 2025 An analysis of how Indian media coverage of Pakistan in 2025 blurred the lines between journalism and nationalism, shaping conflict narratives in politics, security, and sports across South Asia.

Israel cabinet approves plan to shut down Army Radio

December 22, 2025 Israel’s cabinet approved a plan to shut down Army Radio by March 1, 2026, sparking criticism from press freedom advocates who warn of risks to democratic norms

CBS delays 60 Minutes segment on deportation report

December 22, 2025 CBS News has postponed a 60 Minutes segment on Venezuelan migrant deportations to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, igniting internal disputes over editorial independence and political influence.

Dhaka journalists protest attacks on Prothom Alo, Daily Star

December 22, 2025 Journalists in Dhaka protested after arson and vandalism at Prothom Alo and The Daily Star offices, warning that impunity for attacks on the media threatens press freedom.