IHC orders implementation of Television Audience Measurement regulations in letter and spirit

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published December 08, 2018

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court has ordered implementation of Television Audience Measurement (TAM) regulations in letter and spirit as it concluded a case filed by Daily Times Editor Raza Rumi.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah’s ruling would now ensure balanced, fair and representative media ratings.

Rumi filed the case four years ago through his counsel Yasser Latif Hamdani, objecting to the discriminatory manner television ratings were measured by a private company.

The petitioner had pointed out there was a pro-urban and geographical bias that left large areas excluded from the exercise, skewing the media to cater to a small percentage of the urban middle class. It violated the constitution’s Article 25.

Counsel for the petitioner told the court that there was only one private rating company which had a monopoly, and this violated PEMRA Ordinance and the Competition Act.

PEMRA and the private media company had earlier told the IHC that the regulator had no jurisdiction in the matter.

The watchdog formulated the TAM regulations after the Supreme Court held that it did have the jurisdiction to regulate the ratings.

These regulations contain clauses that seek distribution of television rating meters and making geographical and gender distribution a key obligation for the exercise.

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 June 11, 2025:  Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 June 11, 2025:  Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 May 31, 2025:  Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 May 30, 2025:  The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 May 30, 2025:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 May 26, 2025:  In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 May 25, 2025:  PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 May 25, 2025:  Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.