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Watchdog concerned over PEMRA guidelines for broadcasters
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 22 August 2015
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The Committee to Protect Journalists criticized PEMRA's new guidelines for broadcasters, claiming they could undermine press freedom. The rules impose strict limits on news coverage, especially during security operations and political discussions.Summary
NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says it is concerned by the sweeping nature of guidelines from Pakistan's Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for on-air news coverage and commentary on the nation's television and radio channels. The Electronic Media (Programs and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015 was made public Thursday.
The 24-point guidelines set strict limits for live coverage of ongoing security operations such as hostage standoffs and terrorist attacks. Broadcasters "shall air only such information as may be warranted by the security agency in charge of the operation," the code mandates.
The rules also set controls for discourse during political discussion shows, which is often heated in Pakistan; broadcasters are restricted from airing what PEMRA calls those engaging in "hate speech" or denunciations of religious beliefs.
"Codes of conduct should be voluntarily developed and enforced by a country's media industry, rather than being handed down by any government," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia program coordinator.
"Pakistan's news organizations have shown willingness in the past to develop their own rules for responsible coverage, and this code smacks of government interference and a threat to press freedom in an already frail media environment." The guidelines, which update a 2009 version, were drawn up in consultation with the Pakistan Broadcasting Association over the past several months, according to media reports.
Members of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have complained they were not included in the discussions, according to Mazhar Abbas, a broadcaster and media activist and former president of PFUJ. - By Committee to Protect Journalists
Key Points
- PEMRA's guidelines restrict live coverage of security operations.
- Broadcasters must air information only approved by security agencies.
- The guidelines limit discourse in political shows to avoid hate speech.
- CPJ calls for media codes to be developed by the industry, not mandated by the government.
- Pakistan's media environment is already fragile and threatened by government interference.
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