PEMRA warns TV channels over propaganda against state institutions

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has warned all satellite TV channels over running propaganda campaigns or spreading misleading information and disinformation against state institutions in its latest directive.

PEMRA has stated that some media anchors were indulged in spreading misinformation and disinformation against the state institutions. It warned that TV channels that such a trend would be tantamount to casting aspersions against state institutions.

According to PEMRA, airing any such content was a violation of its directives. It also asked the satellite TV channels to follow the principles laid down in the constitution ensuring strict compliance with relevant provisions of PEMRA laws.

PEMRA had issued a show-cause notice to ARY News a day earlier after it had aired comments of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shehbaz Gill. According to the notice, the comments of Gill were highly hateful and seditious to incite armed forces towards revolt.

The notice also said that Gill via telephonic call had alleged that the government was trying to provoke the lower and middle tier of the army against PTI. It also had said that Shehbaz Gill tried to malign the federal government.

Shehbaz Gill, who was arrested over the matter yesterday, was presented in the court today and police was granted two day physical remand of the PTI leader. Cases have also been registered against Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ARY, head of news ARY, channel’s anchors Arshad Sharif and Khawar Ghumman as well in this context in Karachi.