Show-cause notice to BOL for casting aspersions on Army officer

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 8 July 2017

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has issued a show-cause notice to BOL News concerning derogatory remarks about an Army officer. The channel must respond by July 18 and provide evidence for the allegations made.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a show-cause notice to BOL News for airing comments that cast aspersions on a serving Army officer posted in a war zone.

A PEMRA press release said the comments were made by Sadiq Taqvi in the program Aisay Nahi Chalay Ga on June 27. The regulator said this was a violation of Code of Conduct, National Action Plan and Operation Radd-ul-Fasad.

The release said in the same program comments of Hassan Zaffar were aired casting false and frivolous allegations against PEMRA.

“Airing of both comments amounts to hate speech and was a willful attempt to incite hatred and violence against the officers of armed forces and PEMRA, who represent the state of Pakistan.”

BOL is required to respond to the show-cause notice by July 18 and explain its position. The channel’s CEO is also directed to appear for a personal hearing along with evidence of the allegations made.