The Sindh High Court has issued a stay on the notification by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) that imposed restrictions on court reporting. The court has also issued notices to Pemra, the Ministry of Information, and other parties, requesting a response by June 6.
Advocate Abdul Moiz Jaferi argued that Pemra lacks the authority to issue such directives, asserting that it is the judiciary’s prerogative to decide what can be reported.
Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh of the Sindh High Court noted that while court reporters should be responsible in their reporting, certain remarks can sometimes create a misleading impression.The case has been adjourned until June 6 for further hearing.
It is relevant to mention that Pemra had previously restricted news channels from airing material about ongoing court cases until a final verdict is announced. The authority had banned news regarding subjudice cases and directed channels to air only information in the public interest.
Pemra also instructed media outlets to refrain from expressing opinions on subjudice cases and warned against discussing ongoing court cases in a manner that could influence investigations or the trial. The regulatory body emphasized that only necessary information for the public would be allowed to be disseminated through media channels.
