PEMRA directive to TV channels on fundraising for dams

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 9 August 2018

PEMRA has directed private TV channels to allocate time slots for public service messages promoting a fundraising campaign for dam construction. The initiative includes holding telethons featuring celebrities to encourage donations.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Electronic media regulator PEMRA has come up with a set of instructions for private TV channels on the Supreme Court’s fundraising campaign for construction of dams, including holding telethons on this issue. 

In a letter to “all satellite TV channel licensees” on August 8, the regulator asked them to “allocate one (01) minute in every hour during the morning shows and repeat this during the prime time from 07:00 pm to 12:00 am, for public service messages for fund-raising for the construction of dams.”

Khurrum Hussain, who writes a weekly column for Dawn, shared the letter on Twitter.

The letter also requires “TV channels…to provide a schedule for the playing the spot one day, in advance, for appealing their viewers/general public to donate generously for this noble cause to PWMRA for onwards submission to the office of the Additional Attorney General of Pakistan.”

The TV channels have been directed to “hold TELETHON with celebrities appealing to the general public for the noble cause of fundraising for the construction of dams.”

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA issued instructions to TV channels for fundraising for dam construction.
• Channels must allocate one minute every hour for public service messages.
• Telethons will feature celebrities appealing for donations.
• TV channels are required to submit a schedule for airing these messages in advance.
• Fundraising is aimed at supporting the Supreme Court's initiative.