PEMRA directive to Dunya News after broadcasting lapse

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 29 February 2016

PEMRA has directed Dunya News to improve its editorial control following a broadcast lapse during a talk show. The authority highlighted the need for effective time delay systems.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - Electronic media watchdog PEMRA has directed Dunya News Television to refrain from airing indecent remarks and ensure its editorial control committee and time delay systems are in place.

The directive comes after the channel in its talk show 'On the Front' broadcast on February 25 let an inappropriate exchange of words between Uzma Bukhari and Mufti Naeem go on air. The program was hosted by Kamran Shahid (pictured).

PEMRA said the program host should have intervened and not allowed such an exchange on his show. "Unfortunately, this continued for some time."

The authority noted the lapse proved either the editorial control committee is not functional or the channel is intentionally not making proper use of it and also does not time-delay mechanism.

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA issued directives to Dunya News for airing indecent remarks.
• The complaint was about the talk show 'On the Front' hosted by Kamran Shahid.
• A controversial exchange occurred between Uzma Bukhari and Mufti Naeem.
• Editorial control mechanisms were deemed either non-functional or misused.
• PEMRA emphasized the importance of proper time delay systems.