PEMRA summons erring Channel 24, Dunya managers for personal hearing

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 26 May 2016

PEMRA has called for personal hearings of managers from Channel 24 and Dunya News following objectionable broadcasts. The channels aired comments disparaging to the judiciary, prompting regulatory action.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - The electronic media's regulatory body PEMRA has summoned managers of Channel 24 and Dunya News for a personal hearing after both aired objectionable remarks against the chief justice and the judiciary.

A PEMRA press release said the channels had aired a press conference of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and Sunni Ittehad Council leaders on May 16 in which sectarian hatred and allegations against the chief justice were hurled. Following those broadcasts, PEMRA had served show cause notices on the two channels. They were given until May 23 to submit a response.

However, PEMRA found their responses unsatisfactory and acting under Section 30, ordered Channel 24 to appear for a hearing on June 2 and Dunya News to do the same on June 3.

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA summoned Channel 24 and Dunya News for personal hearings.
• Both channels aired objectionable remarks against the chief justice.
• The broadcasts included sectarian hatred from a press conference.
• Responses from the channels to PEMRA were deemed unsatisfactory.
• Hearings are scheduled for June 2 and June 3.