Samaa directed to apologize for airing untrue comments against Captain Sarfraz Ahmed

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 June 2017

PEMRA has mandated Samaa TV to issue an apology to cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed after inappropriate comments were broadcast. The regulator found the comments violated media conduct codes.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Electronic media regulator PEMRA Friday directed Samaa TV to apologize to Pakistan cricket captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and viewers for airing untrue and irresponsible comments by former skipper Aamir Sohail against him.

A PEMRA release said the comments went on air in the program Mission Oval on June 14, 2017.

After Pakistan beat Sri Lanka during the Champions Trophy, Sohail commented: “[We won because of] prayers and God; and I cannot name the facilitators of those prayers. You [Sarfaraz] have done nothing special, this match was won for you, we all know how things work.”

Pakistan went on to win the trophy beating India in the final.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had filed a complaint with PEMRA seeking action. The regulator issued a show-cause notice to Samaa on June 20.

During a hearing on Friday, PEMRA found that the language/words used by Sohail against Ahmed violated several clauses of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

The Samaa management will have to air the apology on June 25 in its prime time news bulletin and also run tickers.

The channel was also asked to be vigilant in future, install time-delay system, and appoint an in-house monitoring committee. The organization is required to provide relevant details to PEMRA within 14 days.

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA directed Samaa TV to apologize for airing untrue comments by Aamir Sohail.
• Comments were made during the program Mission Oval on June 14, 2017.
• Aamir Sohail implied Sarfaraz Ahmed was not responsible for Pakistan's cricket victory.
• The Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a complaint leading to PEMRA's action.
• Samaa TV must broadcast the apology on June 25 and improve monitoring systems.