Channel 24 fined Rs2.5m for airing baseless comments, news

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 28 October 2016

PEMRA imposed Rs2.5m fines on Channel 24 for airing unsubstantiated remarks and news. The fines resulted from multiple complaints concerning irresponsible journalism.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – PEMRA Council of Complaints has slapped three separate fines amounting to Rs2.5m on Channel 24 for airing baseless comments and news.

A fine of Rs1m was imposed on the channel for airing “irresponsible” comments on prime minister’s patriotism during its program Khara Sach.

The program, hosted by Mubasher Lucman was aired on September 21. The Council decided on the fine after hearing a complaint in this regard during its 66^th meeting in Lahore.

Hearing another complaint relating to “baseless news” aired about Kasur MNA Sheikh Waseem Akhtar, the Council fined Channel 24 another Rs1m. The program again was Lucman’s Khara Sach.

The channel was unable to defend itself in both instances and also could not furnish evidence, PEMRA said.

The Council fined Channel 24 Rs 0.5m for airing “baseless accusations” and damaging the reputation of complainant Sitara Chemical Industries. The meeting noted that it was irresponsible journalism.

On the other hand ARY News was fined 0.5m for running “baseless” news about MPA Rana Mashud in News@6.

Image: Mubasher Lucman

Key Points

Channel 24 fined Rs2.5m by PEMRA for airing baseless comments.
Rs1m fine for comments on prime minister's patriotism during Khara Sach.
Another Rs1m fine for unverified news about MNA Sheikh Waseem Akhtar.
The channel failed to defend its actions or provide evidence.
Ary News was also fined Rs0.5m for running unsubstantiated news.

Relevant Topics

Channel 24

PEMRA

Fines

Journalism

Baseless Comments

Mubasher Lucman

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