JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 02, 2016
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ISLAMABAD - PEMRA's Council of Complaints, Lahore has recommended a fine of Rs100,000 on Channel 24 for conducting "malicious and defamatory" programs by anchor Mubasher Lucman against Punjab Police.
The channel has also been directed to air an apology "in the same manner and magnitude." The Council said television channels should not be used to churn malaise, hate or personal bias against any individual or group.
Channel 24 was also told to deposit an outstanding fine of Rs 30,000 within two weeks or face suspension of license.
On the other hand Din News faces a fine of Rs100,000 for telecasting "highly objectionable comments of a caller in its program 'Pakistan Online with PJ Mir' aired on December 29, 2015 and January 21, 2016. The channel was also ordered to air apology.
The Council recommended reprimanding the channel for not appearing before them and failing to comply with their orders. Concern was expressed over the channel failing to install time-delay mechanism, not forming an editorial board and not following the code of conduct.
The recommendations of the Council will be put up before the PEMRA chairman for approval.
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