ISLAMABAD (Online) – PEMRA’s Council of Complaints has recommended imposition of Rs100,000 fine on ARY News on charges of incitement for dislodgement the democratic set up.
While hearing a complaint lodged by Shanila Sikandar against ARY News programme “Sawal Ye Hai” hosted by Dr Danish, the Council under the chair of Prof Shamim Humayun took serious cognizance of the act of host appealing to army chief to take over and topple the democratic set up.
The Council recommended that the channel should be fined with Rs100,000 and issued a warning not to air such programmes in the future in violation of Clause 3(1)(b) of Code of Conduct-2015”.
The Council also recommended PEMRA to issue an advice to all satellite TV channels to refrain from using derogatory words against persons, politicians and institutions, said a press release issued on Saturday.
In another complaint of the Aviation Division against ARY News, the Council directed issuing warning to ARY for maligning government functionaries including Aviation Division and its attached departments by airing a programme without credible information and not taking version of the aggrieved party.
The Council also directed the ARY News to air apology and rebuttal in the same manner and magnitude during prime time within 15 days for airing false/incorrect information.
In case of failure to comply with the directives, the Council has recommended PEMRA to proceed against the ARY News as per the law.
The Council also recommended issuing advice to all satellite TV licencees to strictly refrain from calling a person anti-Pakistan, traitor, anti-Islam, kafir, enemy of Pakistan, or using racial and religious discriminatory words, etc. against any citizen of the state.
