ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued its final verdict in the Geo News suspension case, upholding the regulator’s earlier decision to suspend the channel’s licence for 15 days over the broadcast of religious imagery during its Safar-e-Ishq programme aired on the 10th of Muharram.
In a detailed decision, PEMRA said the matter was reviewed during the authority’s 191st meeting held on July 11, where it examined the recommendations of the Lahore Council of Complaints, the proceedings’ record, the licence holder’s written and oral submissions, as well as relevant provisions of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, applicable rules and the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015.
The regulator said the Lahore Council of Complaints had deliberated on the case during its 127th, 128th and 129th meetings held on June 30, July 2 and July 10, respectively. After hearing representatives of Geo News, reviewing the available record and taking into account the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology, the council submitted its recommendations to the authority.
PEMRA said Geo News and its representatives had been provided adequate opportunity to explain their position before the authority concluded that the violation was of a “serious nature” and inconsistent with the broadcaster’s legal obligations and the standards of responsible broadcasting under the regulatory framework.
The authority noted that Geo News had acknowledged negligence, expressed remorse and issued an unconditional apology across all its media platforms. While these were treated as mitigating factors, PEMRA stressed that they neither erased the violation nor exempted the broadcaster from its legal consequences.
The regulator upheld its June 27 order suspending Geo News’ licence for 15 days, ruling that the suspension would remain effective until midnight on July 11. It said the channel’s transmission could only be restored after completion of the suspension period and payment of a Rs10 million fine.
PEMRA also directed the Geo News management to complete disciplinary proceedings against those responsible for the lapse and terminate their services in accordance with applicable rules. The order further states that employees dismissed as a result of the disciplinary action will not be allowed to work, directly or indirectly, with any PEMRA-licensed, registered or authorised media service operating under the regulator’s jurisdiction.
Warning against any repeat of the violation, PEMRA said Geo News’ licence would be liable to cancellation if similar negligence occurred in future.
The authority also instructed Geo News and all other licence holders to establish impartial and competent in-house monitoring committees or editorial boards, submit their details to PEMRA and ensure prior editorial scrutiny of all broadcast content.
In addition, PEMRA announced that it would issue separate directives to all broadcasters for strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment in a suo motu case relating to electronic media regulation.
The regulator warned that any future violations by broadcasters would invite stricter action in accordance with the law.
