Geo in trouble for airing kiss

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 March 2017 |  JP Staff Report

PEMRA has taken action against Geo News for airing a kiss during a live morning show, arguing it violated content regulations. The channel has 14 days to respond to the show-cause notice.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Wednesday issued a show-cause notice to Geo News for broadcasting what it described as “objectionable content” during its live morning transmission.

The scene in question—a kiss aired during Geo Pakistan—was broadcast at precisely 9:36 AM on March 15. According to PEMRA, this segment violated the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015, which governs the content aired on television in Pakistan. The watchdog stressed that the airing of such content was inappropriate for public viewing, particularly during a family-oriented morning show.

In the notice, PEMRA asked the channel's management to explain why regulatory action, including a fine of up to Rs1 million or even cancellation of the channel’s license, should not be taken. Geo News has been given 14 days to submit its reply.

This is not the first time PEMRA has acted against TV channels over content it deems inappropriate. The regulator continues to issue guidelines and warnings to ensure compliance with cultural and ethical standards in broadcasting.

The move has sparked a debate online, with some calling it censorship and others supporting the regulator's stance on maintaining public decency.