The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on Geo News for airing remarks against senior politicians and parliamentarians, according to a press release by the regulatory authority.
On February 12, two guests, Ijaz Mehmand and Nisar Mehmand, in Salim Safi’s programme Jirga had “called Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Maulana Fazlur Rehman traitors,” said the release, adding that later on February 17, Pemra issued a show cause notice to Geo News.
Subsequently, the authority examined the written reply and found out that the words used in the programme were in violation of Clauses 3(1)(f), 4(10), 17, 22 and 23 of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
https://twitter.com/reportpemra/status/862300780883202048
The regulator also directed the channel to tender an apology before its audience during the same programme.
“The management of the channel and the anchor Safi were directed to tender an apology during the same time slot of the programme on May 13, by specially naming Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai,” said Pemra.
The authority also directed the channel to ensure that the text to the same effect is displayed on the screen during the entire programme when Safi apologises to the viewers.
“The Pemra has also warned the channel to be vigilant on selection of guests in its talk shows and brief them about the code of conduct,” said the regulator.
