PEMRA show cause notice to Geo for airing 'baseless' news about Ambassador Jilani

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 September 2016

PEMRA served a notice to Geo TV for inaccurate reports about Ambassador Jilani's interactions with the White House. The channel faces potential fines and has to respond by September 12.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Electronic media watchdog PEMRA Monday served a show cause notice on Geo Television for a recent reporting lapse.

PEMRA said the channel wrongly reported in two of its news bulletins on August 30 that the White House had written to Pakistan High Commission and the Foreign Office reprimanding Pakistani Ambassador to US, Jalil Abbas Jilani.

The ambassador had posted a picture on Twitter in late May in which he is seen standing along with US First Lady Michelle Obama and tweeting: “It was an absolute delight hosting FLOTUS at Pakistan House today.” The tweet was later removed.

The News reported that Michelle Obama’s visit to the Pakistan House – Jilani’s residence – was actually connected with his son’s graduation party, who attended the same school as President Barack Obama’s daughters.

Ambassador Jilani had filed a complaint with PEMRA, pointing out that Geo not only misled the people but also provided an opportunity to the Indian media to talk bad of Pakistan.

Dismissing the news as completely baseless, he requested PEMRA to order the channel to air an apology and take appropriate action under relevant laws.

Geo has been asked to respond by September 12 and explain why a fine of Rs1 million not be slapped on them or their license suspended or cancelled.