PEMRA bars Urdu-1 from airing Indian movie Raees

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 31 August 2017

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has prohibited Urdu-1 Television from broadcasting the Indian movie Raees. The ban follows concerns regarding the film's portrayal of Muslims and its violation of media conduct regulations.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a prohibition order to Urdu-1 Television stopping it from broadcasting and re-broadcasting Indian movie Raees on the first day of Eid-ul-Azha.

A PEMRA press release said the prohibition order was issued after it monitored that Urdu-1 was continuously broadcasting promos of Raees.

The regulator said permission to exhibit the said movie in cinemas across Pakistan was declined by the Central Board of Film Censors, Pakistan. This was done due to the film’s “subtle theme undermining Islam/a specific sect as religion and subtly portraying Muslims as criminals and terrorists.”

The movie is also in violation of several clauses of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015 and PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007.

Photo: YouTube

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA issued a prohibition order to Urdu-1 for broadcasting Raees.
• The film was previously denied approval by the Central Board of Film Censors.
• Concerns include the film's themes undermining Islam and portraying Muslims negatively.
• The ban is based on violations of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct.
• The prohibition coincides with the first day of Eid-ul-Azha.