Airing of illegal Indian content: PEMRA gets tough

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 31 August 2016

PEMRA is enforcing strict measures against the airing of illegal Indian content on television. The authority has mandated local broadcasters to adhere to a six-minute content limit and will act against violators starting October 15.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has decided to launch a crackdown against illegal Indian satellite dishes and content on television channels and cable networks. Addressing a press conference Wednesday at PEMRA Headquarters, Chairman Absar Alam announced that the authority will ensure satellite channels adhere to six-minute per hour limit of Indian content in future.

He asked the administration of television channels and cable operators to voluntarily follow the rule adopted during ex-President Musharraf’s era – otherwise punitive action will be taken from October 15. Alam said that action will start with fines and may include suspension and revocation of the license for repeated violations.

He asked cable operators to immediately stop airing illegal Indian channels otherwise strict action will be taken against them. The PEMRA chairman said that a multi-pronged strategy has been devised to control the import, sale, purchase and use of illegal Indian satellite dishes in the country.

He appealed to the general public to stop the use of these illegal dishes as it was violation of the law and against national interests. He said under the strategy, help of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, intelligence agencies, local police has been taken to curb this illegal practice.

He said that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will also be approached for ensuring that the business of illegal dishes is banned. He said that PEMRA will write letters to the chief ministers of all the provinces and the Federal Bureau of Revenue’s chairman as well.

“45 days have been given to broadcasters to stop airing the illegal Indian content and PEMRA will launch its own Direct to Home (DTH) television system by October this year,” Alam said. PEMRA’s chairman expressed disappointment over the attitude of television anchor persons who have not done any programme over the Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir as Indian forces were using deadly pellet guns.

He said that the regulating authority also plans to take action against morning shows that are violating code of conduct. - APP

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA to crack down on illegal Indian satellite dishes/content.
• Broadcasters have 45 days to comply with content regulations.
• Fines and license revocation are possible penalties for repeat offenders.
• Collaboration with various agencies to curb illegal practices.
• PEMRA plans to launch its own DTH television system by October.