Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has issued a Show Cause notice for the program of news channel ARY, “The Reporters”.
The reason for the notice
The program is hosted by three hosts, Sami Ibrahim, Sabir Shakir and Arif Hameed Bhatti.The notice says that in the episode of “The Reporters” aired on April 3, 2017, the hosts presented the tweet of ISPR in a wrong manner. The analysis on the tweet was marked as misleading. The analysis was about the meeting of Army Chief with the head of a political party. The news was given a straying image. This was a plot to create a wrong perception of the relations between the democratic government and Army in public’s mind.
The notice further stated that the analysis in the program gave a derogated view of the commitment of the dedication of Army Chief with the constitution of Pakistan. This unprofessional analysis only has one aim, to create differences between Army and the Government. The analysis also accused the army of having no commitment towards the constitution of Pakistan.
Legal side of the notice
PEMRA made it clear that the analysis in the program has infringed the PEMRA ordinance 2002, PEMRA (amended) act 2007 section 20(c) and the PEMRA rules 2009 article 15(1). The Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2005 article 3(1) (b-1-1), 4 (7)(a), 22, 19, 17 of Supreme Court has also been violated. Here’s copy of the notification.
The legal proceedings that ARY and the anchors can face
PEMRA has demanded the answer for the notice in next seven days, till April 11, 2017, from ARY. They have demanded the answer that for the misleading analysis, why not:
- The telecast of the show “The Reporter” should be banned under section 27?
- Should the authority impose RS. 10 lac challan under section 29?
- The license of ARY should be canceled under section 30?
- The license of ARY be abolished under section 30?
The authorities of ARY and the concerned anchors have also been asked if they have anything to say in their defense. If the answer is not submitted till the due date, PEMRA will have authority to exercise its powers singlehandedly.
Click here to have a look at the video of talk show.
