PEMRA serves notice on DawnNews

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 19 July 2016

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has served a notice to Dawn News for airing a statement from cleric Abdul Qavi. The statement appeared to justify the murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has served a show cause notice on Dawn News after the channel aired a 'threatening' statement of cleric Abdul Qavi following the murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch.

PEMRA said that in the statement, the cleric who is nominated in the murder, appeared to justify the killing. Baloch's brother Muhammad Waseem has admitted to strangling her at their family home.

The watchdog said airing of the statement was a violation of the code of conduct for electronic media. Such content going on air went to show that either the channel does not have an editorial committee, or it is ineffective.

DawnNews have been given until July 26 to explain what was the reason for airing the statement in question.

Waseem said he killed his sister due to her social media activities, which included a series of posts with Abdul Qavi. One video shows her sitting on the cleric's lap.

Qavi, told local media after Baloch's death he had "forgiven her" and the matter was now in God's hands.

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA issued a notice after Dawn News aired a statement from Abdul Qavi.
• Qavi is nominated in the murder case of Qandeel Baloch.
• The cleric's statement appeared to justify Baloch's killing.
• Baloch's brother has confessed to her murder over social media activities.
• Dawn News has until July 26 to explain their decision to air the statement.