Rehman Malik seeks ban on satirical TV programs

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 5 May 2015

Rehman Malik has urged the Senate to legislate against satirical programs that mock politicians. He believes these shows are too insulting for family viewing.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Senator Rehman Malik Tuesday urged the Senate members to come up with legislation against satirical television programs that have been ridiculing politicians for several years.

Speaking on a point of order, he said the government should take action against programs that have been mocking politicians under the garb of parody.

“These programs are so insulting which nobody can watch along with the families as they present politicians as jokers,” he said.

Malik said television channels have also been ridiculing the prime minister in their satirical shows but the government was unwilling to initiate any legal action against them.

“I’ve brought all this in notice of PEMRA but to no avail,” he said, adding the Upper House should do a legislation to ban such programs.

Chairman Senate Mian Raza Rabbani said PEMRA has all the powers to stop slur and abuse on television channels but “the officials are hand-picked and too incompetent to do the task.”

Key Points

Malik calls for legal action against satirical TV shows.
He cites programs that insult politicians as harmful to family viewing.
PEMRA has been informed but has taken no action.
Senate chairman highlights PEMRA's ineffectiveness in addressing the issue.
Malik emphasizes the need for legislation to protect dignitaries.

Relevant Topics

Rehman Malik

Satire BAN

Television Programs

Political Mockery

PEMRA

Senate

Ask AI: Understand this story your way

AI Enabled

Dig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.

Language

Format

Tone

Audience

Focus

Reading level

Length

The AI generates results based on your selected options

Your AI-generated results will appear here after you click the button.

Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.

Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 4 | July 7-20, 2026

July 20, 2026: During July 7-20, 2026 Pakistan's media faced legal action against journalists, expanded broadcast regulations, newsroom layoffs and surveillance concerns, revealing growing regulatory, economic and technological pressures on journalism.

Journalists question closed-door fuel price briefing

July 18, 2026: Journalists criticised a closed-door briefing where ministers said OGRA would set petroleum prices daily and energy reporters were not invited.

DRF USA report warns of expanding cyber surveillance in Pakistan

July 17, 2026: DRF USA warns that Pakistan's growing cyber surveillance, spyware, LIMS, and web monitoring pose serious privacy risks to press freedom and other digital rights.

Nine journalist threat cases recorded across Pakistan in June

July 15, 2026: Nine incidents of threats, arrests, legal action and assaults against journalists were recorded in Pakistan in June, highlighting threats to press freedom.

Why Punjab's district journalists are working second jobs to survive

July 14, 2026: Punjab district journalists take second jobs, running shops, tuition centres or filtration plants, to top up newsroom pay and keep reporting amid rising costs.

Pakistan Media Monitor | Edition 3 | June 23-July 6, 2026

July 06, 2026: Pakistan's media faced pressure as a major channel was suspended, journalists were arrested under cyberlaw, attacks occurred and AI-related debates intensified.

CPJ urges Pakistan to lift Geo News suspension

July 02, 2026: CPJ urged Pakistan to reverse PEMRA's 15-day suspension of Geo News' broadcast license, calling it a dangerous escalation of official interference with independent media.

KP unveils journalist welfare package with loans, press club funding

July 01, 2026: KP unveils package for journalists: interest-free loans up to PKR10m, funding for press clubs and a media colony, plus a provincial journalists' welfare endowment.

Newsroom

Messi's farewell, Yamal's rise: Spain conquer Argentina in World Cup final

July 20, 2026 Spain defeated Argentina in a dramatic World Cup final as Ferran Torres' extra-time volley sealed victory, capping Messi's farewell and Yamal's rise.

JP analysis: Legal pressure on journalists grows worldwide

July 19, 2026 JournalismPakistan finds governments increasingly using courts, surveillance, visa limits and regulation instead of overt bans to pressure journalists.

What is prior restraint in journalism and media law?

July 19, 2026 Prior restraint is government action that stops publication or broadcast before it reaches the public, creating tensions between press freedom and security.

Press freedom review: Governments tighten the screws on journalists

July 19, 2026 The tracker highlights governments tightening the screws on journalists through arrests, lawsuits, surveillance, visa limits, economic pressure and regulation.

China warns of retaliation over new US journalist visa limits

July 18, 2026 China warned it may retaliate after the US set fixed-term visas for foreign journalists, usually 240 days but generally 90 days for Chinese reporters.