JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 05, 2018 | JP Staff Report
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ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has fined 16 news channels Rs 1 million each for airing false news that the Lahore High Court had imposed a ban on the broadcast of speeches of Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.
The channels penalized are Royal News, Din News, 92 News, Dunya, Channel 5, Aaj, Express News, Roze TV, Samaa TV, DawnNews, ARY News, Waqt, BOL, KTN, Koh-e-Noor, and Geo News.
Mashriq TV, however, escaped with a fine of Rs200,000 for only running a ticker.
All 17 channels were issued show-cause notices on April 19.
PEMRA has also directed the erring news organizations to air an apology during prime time on May 6. The regulatory authority emphasized the importance of responsible journalism and accurate reporting, stating that disseminating false information undermines public trust in the media. This move by PEMRA aims to ensure adherence to journalistic standards and prevent future recurrence of such incidents.
Additionally, PEMRA reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the media landscape in Pakistan, urging all media outlets to verify news reports thoroughly before broadcasting. The regulatory body warned that stricter penalties would be imposed for future violations.
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