PEMRA suspends BOL News license

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 January 2021

PEMRA has suspended BOL News' license due to contemptuous remarks made during a talk show. The channel has been fined one million rupees for violations.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Electronic media regulator PEMRA on Saturday suspended the license of BOL TV and imposed a fine of one million rupees for remarks against the chief justice of Lahore High Court and other judges.

The remarks were made during the talk show, Tajzia, hosted by Sami Ibrahim.

A statement issued by PEMRA said: “BOL News in its talk show aired contemptuous remarks against the honorable Chief Justice of Lahore High Court and the other honorable judges while discussing the matter of appointment of judges in Lahore High Court.”

It said the host and the senior correspondent “cast aspersions against the superior judiciary in violation of Article 19 read with article 68 of the Constitution….and the PEMRA Code of Conduct 2015.”

In its response, BOL News maintained the content aired was per PEMRA laws and directions of the Supreme Court.

The channel did not express any regret or remorse and said the show cause notice issued was uncalled for and must be withdrawn.

Considering the reply, PEMRA suspended the license of the channel, owned by Labbaik Private Limited, and imposed a fine of Rs one million, which is to be paid within 30 days.