ISLAMABAD – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) recommended a hefty fine on two private news channels for “airing baseless news” against the Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh Allah Dino Khawaja.
‘In a complaint filed by IGP Sindh AD Khawaja, Pemra Council of Complaints meeting recommended to impose a fine of Rs 200,000 and Rs 300,000 on private television channels Abb Takk and Channel 24 respectively for airing baseless, defamatory and unverified allegations against the complainant,’ the media watchdog said in a statement.
‘Proceedings regarding the complaints against news reporter Zille-e-Haider on Channel 24 and Abb Takk programme Benaqab hosted by Saifan Khan were conducted by the council on February 8, 2017, and March 29, 2017, respectively,’ it added.
The authority directed the channels to air an apology both through television anchor and through text in much the same magnitude as the fake news was aired.
The media regulator also directed the channels to deploy and properly utilise a time delay mechanism. It also asked them to constitute an in-house editorial committee to ensure compliance of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
