Neo airs apology as week-long ban ends
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 8 December 2016
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Neo TV aired an apology following a week-long ban for remarks made about the judiciary. The channel stated its commitment to respecting judicial authority.Summary
ISLAMABAD – A week-long ban on Neo TV for casting aspersions on the judiciary ended at 12 noon Thursday with the channel airing an apology as ordered by PEMRA, on resumption of transmission.
The objectionable comments that led to the ban were aired November 19 in the program @Q, hosted by Ahmed Quraishi.
The channel said it always respected the judiciary and will continue to do so. “We apologize for any intentional or unintentional mistake we made against the judiciary,” a presenter announced.
Quraishi said: “We at Neo will always defend the judiciary…and we cannot even think of casting aspersions against any judge. If I have done so unintentionally, I apologize for that.”
The ban on Neo came into effect December 1. The organization was also fined Rs1million.
Chaudhary Abdur Rehman, Chairman Neo TV, addressing his staff had said last week “we are being punished for raising the voice of Pakistanis and the suppressed. If my channel is shut down for talking about Pakistan, I will continue to do so.”
KEY POINTS:
- Ban on Neo TV ended at 12 noon Thursday.
- Channel aired an apology as mandated by PEMRA.
- Comments leading to the ban were made on November 19.
- Neo TV was fined Rs1 million for the incident.
- Chairman emphasized the importance of voicing public concerns.
