Channel 24 license suspended, Rs 1 million fine also imposed over airing of unverified audio clip of PIA air crash

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Friday suspended the license of Channel 24 from 5:00 PM to 12.00 midnight daily for a period of 7 days starting from December 27 to January 2 for airing a false and unverified audio clip of the PIA plane crash near Havelian on December 7, 2016.

Besides the license suspension, a fine of Rs1 Million has also been imposed on the TV channel.

PEMRA had immediately issued a show cause notice to the channel directing its management to file a reply by Dec 15, 2016. The channel management was not able to provide a satisfactory reply.

The Authority’s decision has also been conveyed to PAKSAT and instructions have been issued to PAKSAT to implement PEMRA decision in letter and spirit. Separate instructions have also been issued to the cable operators to follow the decision.

PEMRA authority meeting also discussed non-payment of the outstanding dues (Rs.1 million) by Punjab TV for last two years and decided to suspend its license.