PEMRA forwards two separate complaints against TV channels to its Council

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 30 May 2017

PEMRA has forwarded complaints from Advocate Muhammad Akram Shaikh and anchor Esshal Ali to its Council of Complaints. The complaints involve allegations of defamation and unfair treatment by various TV channels.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has forwarded two separate complaints by Muhammad Akram Shaikh, Advocate Supreme Court and anchor Esshal Ali (Afshan Butt) to its Council of Complaints.

According to PEMRA, Shaikh complained against NewsOne, ARY News, Channel 24 and 92 News for “unleashing a malicious and defamatory campaign” against his recent visit to Riyadh.

The complainant said that NewsOne analyst Dr. Shahid Masood played a “central role” in the campaign.

He said that the channels presented distorted facts about his participation in a recent summit in Saudi Arabia and misinterpreted his professional status to the organizers.

Besides Dr. Masood, a PEMRA media release named Maria Memon (ARY News – Sawal Ye Hai) and Chaudhry Ghulam Hussain (Channel 24 – DNA) particularly hurling baseless allegations.

Meanwhile, anchor Esshal complained against Channel 24 and City 42. She accused the channels of treating her unfairly, violating the contract and unlawfully withholding her salary.

Image courtesy: uldissprogis.com

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA received two complaints regarding media channels.
• Muhammad Akram Shaikh accused channels of defamation.
• Esshal Ali alleged unfair treatment and contract violations.
• The complaints will be reviewed by PEMRA's Council.
• Accusations include misrepresentation of facts.