Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Tuesday approved revised TV/Radio Broadcasting Operations Regulations which were devised on modern lines in due consultation with the stakeholders. PEMRA has approved the regulations in its 73rd meeting held at PEMRA Headquarters.
The revision of regulation was much needed to remove number of anomalies in old version of regulation after enactment of PEMRA Act 2007 and PEMRA Rules 2009, said a press release here. The Authority also approved opening up Phase-X for awarding FM licenses in 30 districts of country including Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK. To spur media outreach, the Authority directed to open up new phase of awarding FM radio licenses.
The authority imposed fine of Rs 0.5 million each on three major FM radio licensees namely M/s Mehran Media (Pvt) Ltd, M/s Media Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, M/s Solar Communication (Pvt) Ltd for illegally transferring shares in violation of section 20(i) of PEMRA law. Reviewing the progress, the Authority urged ensuring media access to grass-roots level and emphasised penetration of cable TV in remote areas of country in order to provide people an easy reach to information, education and entertainment.
The Authority also took serious notice of creeping undesirable media practices whereby the TV channels in particular have started invading the personal privacy in disregard to social norms and ethics. The Authority also reiterated its resolve to curb derogatory and defamatory satirical programs aired by many channels in the guise of parody that are inadvertently being used for demeaning and defaming dignitaries.
The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman PEMRA Dr Abdul Jabbar, Secretary Ministry of Information, Secretary Ministry of Interior, Chairman PTA and other Members included Mian Shams (Punjab), Israr Ahmad Abbassi (AJ&K), Shama Parveen Magsi (Baluchistan) and Fareeha Iftikhar (KP).
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