Here's why these 17 channels got fined; Geo on the list
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 5 May 2018 | JP Staff Report
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PEMRA has imposed fines on 16 news channels for broadcasting false news regarding a court ban on Nawaz Sharif's speeches. The affected channels must air apologies during prime time, advocating for responsible journalism.Summary
ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed fines of Rs1 million each on 16 news channels for broadcasting incorrect reports claiming that the Lahore High Court had banned the airing of speeches by Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz.
According to the regulator, the reports were aired without proper verification, leading to widespread misinformation about a sensitive legal matter.
The channels fined include Royal News, Din News, 92 News, Dunya News, Channel 5, Aaj News, Express News, Roze TV, Samaa TV, DawnNews, ARY News, Waqt News, BOL News, KTN, Koh-e-Noor, and Geo News.
Mashriq TV received a comparatively lower penalty of Rs200,000, as it only aired the unverified claim as a ticker rather than a full broadcast segment.
Show-cause notices and apology order
PEMRA said all 17 channels had been issued show-cause notices on April 19, seeking explanations for the lapse. After reviewing their responses, the authority concluded that the broadcasters had failed to meet basic standards of verification and editorial responsibility.
In addition to the fines, the regulator has directed all penalized channels to air a formal apology during prime-time transmission on May 6, ensuring that the correction reaches the same audience that was exposed to the inaccurate reports.
Warning on misinformation and future violations
The authority stressed that airing unverified or false information, particularly regarding court proceedings, can mislead the public and damage the credibility of both the judiciary and the media.
Reiterating its mandate to uphold professional standards, PEMRA urged broadcasters to strengthen internal editorial checks and verify all legal and political developments through credible sources before going on air.
The regulator also issued a clear warning that repeat violations would attract stricter penalties, signaling a tougher enforcement approach against misinformation in Pakistan’s broadcast media landscape.
Key Points
- PEMRA fined 16 channels Rs 1 million each for misinformation.
- Mashriq TV received a lesser fine of Rs 200,000 for a ticker only.
- Channels must broadcast apologies on May 6.
- PEMRA emphasizes the need for accurate reporting.
- Stricter penalties will be imposed for future violations.
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