Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has expressed suspicions over disappearance of code of conduct for media drafted by it, which was sent to the panel formulated by the prime minister for its study and examination.
The committee chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha directed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and ministry to dig out the missing draft, otherwise the whole practice will be repeated which would require a lot of time, whereby the tenure of the committee is about to come to an end. The draft was formulated by this committee which was sent to the committee formulated by the Prime Minister for its study and examination.
Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb assured the committee that draft will be retrieved. While giving a briefing about the Pemra actions taken against the TV channels violating the Constitution and the code of conduct, she said that electronic media advertisement policy has been formulated by Directorate of Electronic Media and Publication. Senator Robina Khalid asked why all rating meters are installed in Karachi. She added that Pemra does not examine the rating of any channel.
Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb said that there is a department in the ministry that keeps an eye on rating of channels. She informed the committee that there is a big difference between the rates of print media for public and private sectors. She said a private institution reviews the rating and the government does not interfere in it, adding the ministry has nothing to do with the location of rating meters.
Moreover, she said, rating by state operative will determine the effectiveness of the public service messages and the paid contents in the presence of the technology of Direct to Home (DTH).
She said that the ministry in collaboration with PTCL is working on the development of a policy to make the rating of electronic media more credible. Moreover, automating circulation of newspaper is also under progress under the supervision of the Prime Minister, which will be announced on May 31, 2017, she said while adding that it is just stakeholders' appointment which is taking time. The meeting suggested to take measures before Ramazan so that electronic media becomes sensitised to take measures to increase interfaith harmony contents.
Chairman Pemra absar Alam told the committee that there is a case currently going on in IHC in which action has been taken against channels violating the law. He said channels get stay orders from the court which causes hindrance in the performance of Pemra. The committee, however, underscored the need for strengthening the legal team of Pemra.
Senator Farhatullah Babar also brought in the matter wherein Chairman PTV Atta ul Haq Qasmi approved himself for the post of managing director PTV, which is against the law.
The state minister said the board passed the resolution collectively to make the chairman as MD PTV and there was no representation from the ministry side. The committee recommended the ministry to hold on all the postings and transfers along with other executive decisions till the time the matter is resolved and appropriate action is taken under the legal rules and procedures.