Pemra suspends Geo News transmission for 15 days

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Saturday suspended with “immediate effect” Geo News’ licence for 15 days over airing a special transmission that the body said was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”. In an order addressed to the chief executive officer of Independent Media Corporation (IMC) on June 28, Pemra said the licence issued to IMC for “Geo News was suspended for a period of 15 days with immediate effect from the issuance.” Issued under Section 30 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002, the order citing the authority’s monitoring wing said that the broadcast of Geo News’ special transmission “constitutes a serious regulatory concern” due to religious, cultural and social sensitivities. Pemra noted in its order that the aired content was inconsistent with the obligations of a licensee under sections 20(b), (c), (d) and (f) of the Pemra Ordinance. Section 20(b) mandates a licensee to ensure the preservation of “national, cultural, social and religious values and the principles of public policy as enshrined in the Constitution”, while Section 20(c) orders ensuring that “all programmes and advertisements do not contain or encourage” religious discrimination or sectarianism, among other themes. Pemra noted that the matter was “also inconsistent” with its June 15 directive regarding ‘Observance of Sanctity of the Holy Month of Muharramul Haram’. As per the order, the Geo News transmission will remain suspended on satellite and all distribution networks and platforms for the said period, with all distribution service licensees and operators directed to ensure immediate compliance with the Pemra order. Additionally, Pemra referred the matter to its Council of Complaints for “examination, hearing and furnishing of appropriate recommendations, including consideration of further regulatory action, if so warranted under law”. The regulatory body also directed Geo News to conduct an internal inquiry into the editorial, monitoring and co