ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority [Pemra] has approved the grant of licences to new satellite TV channels through open bidding. The approval was given at a meeting on Monday.

The authority approved two non-commercial FM radio licences for Punjab Food Authority (PFA), Lahore, and Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore. The regulator reviewed the status of DTH licensing, which was under the process of security clearance by the agencies concerned.

The meeting approved amendments to Pemra Television Broadcast Station Operations, 2012, and regulations regarding security clearance of directors/licencees of satellite TV channels. A request by Virtual University for renewal of its non-commercial satellite TV licence was approved subject to payment of revised fee.

Pemra approved grant of one mobile TV licence to Ideation Ltd. Islamabad and two internet protocol TV distribution service licences for TES Media Ltd.

Dawn 

Related Story 

The News: Pemra approves two non-commercial licences

Pakistan’s print media highlighted important issues including the revival of Censorship Committee on Defence Planning (CCDP) after 18 years; the recent flexing of muscles by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to regulate private TV channels and the opening of Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.

PPF monitored 18 daily newspapers monitored from February 22-28, including Dawn, The News, The Nation, Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today and Regional Times, Jang, Dunya, Roznama Express, Nawa-e-Waqt, Pakistan, Intikhab, Quami Akhbar, Amn, Kawish, Ibrat and Awami Awaaz.

Of the 70 news published during the week in the newspapers monitored, 11 were on media ethics, 20 on media rights, 10 on media safety, 3 on media bodies, 5 were obituaries and 3 were on welfare of journalists. Nineteen stories covered a number of miscellaneous issues.

Development of professional capacity

All major newspapers including Dawn and Express Tribune prominently covered inauguration of Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi established in collaboration with International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ), Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and United States Department of State.

At present 280 journalists attending programs and participating in training in television production, editing, documentary making, upcoming course on news writing, reporting, editing for TV, print media and data journalism. IBA plans to introduce Master’s journalism degree programme.

Kamal Siddiqui, Editor of Express Tribune is the chair of the CEJ Board of Advisors.

Electronic Media

Censorship Committee on Defence Planning (CCDP)

The News (Feb. 24) carried exclusive story by Ansar Abbasi highlighting the government’s revival of the Censorship Committee on Defence Planning (CCDP) after 18 years to protect “national interest threatened particularly by unregulated and unchecked electronic media.”
CCDP which met on December 16, 2015 under chairmanship of Secretary Information, decided to regulate the selling of airtime by local TV and radio channels to foreign media because the committee felt “many TV channels and radio stations are airing foreign programmes and content which could be detrimental to national interest.”

CCPD decided that there should be uniformity at federal and provincial levels to evolve to mechanisms to review censorship regulations and procedures that have a bearing on national interest or defence planning.

It also decided to have an effective monitoring mechanism of private TV, radio channels during emergencies and war situation for which a media cell was set up comprising civil, military and security agencies representatives. The story did not clarify if the committee considered current situation in the country to warrant such monitoring mechanism.

CCDP also reviewed proposed changes suggested by Films Censors after the 18th Constitutional amendment.

PEMRA Flexes Its Muscles

The Nation (Feb. 25) carried story of PEMRA Council of Complaints (COC) imposing fine of Rs. 100,000 on ARY TV for “incitement for dislodgment of democratic system” in their programme “Sawal Ye Hai” hosted by Dr. Danish that included an appeal to Army chief to come and take over the country and topple the democratic setup.

PEMRA COC warned Express TV News for airing programs in violation of Code of Conduct 2015 and levelling allegations without credible information against Taimur Rehman, Assistant Professor, Political Science, Lahore University of Medical Sciences (LUMS). COC also directed ARY News to air apology and rebuttable for airing incorrect information against functionaries in Aviation Division of the Federal Government.

The COC advised PEMRA to issues advice to all TV channels to refrain from the use of derogatory words against persons, institutions, maligning government functionaries, airing allegation without credible information. It recommended issuing advice to TV channels to strictly refrain from calling a citizen enemy of Pakistan, anti-Islam, traitor, using racial and religious discriminatory words.

PEMRA Chairman Absar Alam convened consultative conference with stake holders on March 16 with participation of Information Minister, senior officials, civil society members to enhance confidence with media industry reported by Jang (Feb. 28).

The News (Feb. 24) carried a report on the ceremony to destroy 3,000 illegal Indian Direct to Home (DTH) decoders that PEMRA had recently confiscated. PEMRA said illegal Indian DTH were distributing illegal and unlicensed channels in Pakistan in violation of PEMRA rules.

The Business Recorder, Express Tribune and The Nation (Feb. 24) covered the resolution passed unanimously by Punjab Provincial Assembly seeking to ban television channels from broadcasting shows based on reenactment of crime scenes and court stories.

Dunya, Pakistan and Amn (Feb. 26) reported a request submitted by advocate Ishtiaq Chaudri in Lahore High Court to stop TV channels presenting airing crimes in dramatic way which violated Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority PEMRA rules, enabling criminals adopt new methods and attract children to crime.

BOL TV

According to news stories by Urdu dailies Amn (Feb. 24) and Quami Akhbar (Feb. 23) BOL TV Action Committee members’ demonstrated at Karachi Press Club with demand to restore bank accounts so that employees’ wages are paid besides restore its license.

Amn (Feb. 27) covered story on Sindh Assembly passing a resolution in favour of BOL TV. Sindh Minister Nisar Khoro and MQM member Faisal Sabzwari were among movers of resolution in house urged the federal ministry of interior to immediately grant security clearance to BOL media group. The resolution says BOL news and BOL entertainment should be allowed to start transmission and decision to suspend their license be revoked.

The house demanded investigation and action against those who resorted to this illegal action against BOL group, causing it billions of rupees loss.

Cable Operators

Pakistan Cable Operators Association (PCOA) announced to suspend TV broadcasts in Punjab province if tax not revoked, reported by The News. PCOA said it would suspend three hours transmission daily of all private TV channels from 25 February 2016 for a week in protest against tax imposed by Punjab Revenue Authority PRA.

PCOA head Captain (rtd.) Jabbar said transmission of all private TV channels other than state-owned Pakistan Television Corporation PTV will be suspended daily from 7pm to 10pm for a week. If demands were not considered, time span will be increased from three to six hours. He warned if any cable operator was arrested protest would be extended all over the country. Chiniot Cable Operator Association also announced suspending transmission of all channels in the district from 25 February except PTV.

Jang (Feb. 27) reported Managing Director of Pakistan Television Corporation PTV Mohammad Malik relinquished charge on completing two years contract, not further extended and new MD to be appointed soon. On 27 February The News reported Attaul Haq Qasmi assumed charge of additional MD PTV.

Media Freedom And Safety

Express Tribune (Feb. 24) covered story of Rana Arshad, Punjab parliamentary secretary for information announcing formation of a committee to probe alleged manhandling of a journalist by a deputy medical superintendent at a public hospital. Rana Arshad, Mian Aslam Iqbal and members of press gallery were included in the committee.

Pakistan (Feb. 27) reported, journalists boycotted Sindh Assembly’s coverage over threat by Tariq Masood Arain to Shah Waliullah reporter of local TV channel. Pakistan (Feb. 28) covered protest of journalist in Tank press club against Kalachi police head constable Ramzan’s misbehaviour with its President Awardin Masud while he was going to Dera Ismail Khan.

Express Tribune and Regional Times (Feb. 25) reported the arrest of Raees Ahmed, owner of Pasban publishers, Hyderabad, along with his employees from the press for publishing an anti-Pakistan advertisement in a Sindhi weekly newspaper. The advertisement contained content against Pakistan, armed forces, intelligence agencies and China Pakistan Economic Corridor project. During initial investigation, police have come to assessment that Ahmed did not read the content. “The man is illiterate,” said Station House Officer Afzal Qureshi. “He received ad from a person whom he couldn’t identify. He didn’t read it as it was written in Sindhi language.”

Right to Information (RTI)

Express Tribune (Feb. 23) published story based on directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Right to Information (RTI) Commission to government departments to share details of their retired employees in a monthly report. Chairman KP RTI Professor Kalimullah told Express Tribune he had to take this step after getting application of 80-year-old Muhammad Shareef who has yet to get his pension as it was stuck in district accounts office of Dera Ismail Khan. Kalimullah said under KP RTI Act 2013, Commission had power to ask all government departments to share information of those entitled to pension.

According to news story of Dawn (Feb. 24) a meeting chaired by Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister on Information approved proposed amendments in KP RTI Act 2013 to make it more comprehensive and accessible to people in the province. It proposes to include registered organizations and the High Court into the ambit of RTI law for provision of any sort of requested information, criminalizes provision of false information, those responsible to be fined and sentenced to two years in prison.

In Punjab implementation of Punjab Transparency & Right to Information Act 2013 faces hurdles of lack of finances and awareness among people reported by Dawn (Feb. 24). Chief Information Commissioner Mazhar Husain Minhas said there is a flood of information untapped in Punjab which should be used for research, governance and solution of problem.

Gender in journalism

Express Tribune’s photographer Aysha Saleem, was elected as member of governing body of Pakistan Association of Press Photographers. This is first time in the history of 55-years-old association that a female photographer had contested elections, won and is now member of governing body reported by Express Tribune (Feb. 24).

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: The Pak­istan Electronic Media Reg­ulatory Authority (Pemra) ordered the management of Bol Television on Thursday to stop their transmission until the directors of their parent company Axact were exonerated from charges of fraud and money laundering.

Axact’s directors are currently facing charges in the wake of a massive fake degree scandal, which was exposed by The New York Times.

A spokesman for the electronic media watchdog told Dawn that the Bol management had been told that until the investigation into this matter was concluded and the directors of Axact were proven innocent, they could not air their channel’s transmission.

The management of Bol TV had announced the first of Ramazan as the formal launch date for their channel and a test transmission had begun a few days ago.

According to the Pemra spokesman, the authority asked Bol TV to cease transmission in pursuance of the letter, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broa­dcasting earlier on Thursday.

The information ministry had issued directions to Pemra to stop the transmission of Bol TV. The letter, titled ‘Policy advice under Section 5 of the Pemra Act 2007’, directed the authority to “ensure stoppage of transmission of Bol channel through any distribution network for the time being (sic).”

The letter further says that the directors of Axact are about to launch the Bol TV channel, and that since the matter is under investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency, letting the channel go on air may seriously hamper the investigation.

Dawn

The post Bol TV asked to wait for clearance of Axact appeared first on Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF).

KARACHI: Former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has said the media should promote democracy wholeheartedly so that Pakistan makes rapid progress.

Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of a conference organised by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at the Governor House on Friday, Mr Zardari said that over the years Pakistani journalists had rendered a lot of sacrifices for the cause of democracy and freedom of the press. However, a lot of work still needed to be done.

The PPP chief said the social media would soon leave the print and electronic media far behind because no obstacle could now bar its path to progress.

He said that like his party his government had always upheld the principles of freedom of the press and even though certain news organisations tried to make him controversial his government never tried to suppress them.

He said his attention had been drawn to non-payment of salaries by certain newspapers and television channels and announced that Sindh government had been asked to link payment of advertisement bills to the payment of salaries by the media houses.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, in his capacity as chief patron of the event, welcomed journalists from home and abroad to the Governor House for the conference.

He said the objective of the three-day conference — titled “One world, One Media” — was to provide a platform to the media community to defend the freedom of expression and human rights.

In his speech, IFJ President Jim Boumelha pointed out that in the last 10 years over 100 Pakistani journalists had been killed in the line of duty.

PFUJ President Rana Azeem, General Secretary Amin Yusuf, MQM leader Khwaja Izhar-ul-Hasan and KUJ President G.M. Jamali also spoke on the occasion.

Dawn

Addressing the media at the GCU, Lahore, and then talking to the journalists, he said the journalists reporting of the masses’ problems and irregularities in the government departments creates awareness in the people. Abbasi said good governments take such times as a means of reformation, instead of getting flared up.

He said the PPC had participated in the protests against attacks on Hamid Mir and then on the Jang group’s vehicles. He said if every institution abides by the code of conduct, the problems get solved automatically.

Shafqat said due to non-implementation of Wage Board Award, journalists are victim to sense of deprivation. He said the journalist organizations should resolve their petty issues by themselves, keeping outsiders away. He said the journalists must speak straightforward and confirm any news items before publishing or broadcasting it.

The News

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had taken suo moto notice of the case regarding Islamabad firing incident of August 15 where a person opened fire in the heavily policed heart of Islamabad after passing the capital’s many checkpoints. He was later shot and seriously wounded by police during a 5-hour long dramatic standoff which was shown live on television channels.

The chief justice asked the authorities why all television stations showed live coverage of the incident and no one contacted Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). He said steps were not taken to control media and pemra chairman appeared helpless during the entire episode. He said TV channels were bound to abide by directives issued by Pemra.

Zulfiqar Malooka, counsel for Pemra while appearing before the court submitted that Pemra chairman had telephoned the TV channels to stop the live transmission but they did not implement the directive. He said that they wanted to take action against the channels for not complying with the order, but Article 19-A of Constitution became hurdles in that regard.

However, the district magistrate admitted in court that no contact was made with the media to stop live coverage of the incident.

Finally, the chief justice observed that there should not be live coverage of the events, which encourage the terrorists and spread fear among the masses.

Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing till September 5.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Pervaiz Shaukat and General Secretary Amin Yusuf said in the annual general council of the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) on August 24 that they would oppose any move to put curbs on TV channels. KUJ President G. M. Jamali and General Secretary Fahim Siddiqui condemned the restrictions imposed by the SC on media and announced that KUJ has passed the resolution in the general council meeting stated “The KUJ will resist attempts by the government, the Pemra or from any other quarter to impose any restraint on electronic media.”

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: As a perceived waywardness of Pakistan’s electronic media came in focus in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the government wanted to bring a new law, possibly to deal with questions of morality.

He did not elaborate his remark, apparently made in passing, after talking of what he called the government efforts to create a “balance” between modernity and conservatism in response to complaints by lawmakers of an allied party about foreign plays being shown on the country’s private television channels at the cost of domestic productions.

“We are trying to create a balance,” the minister said and added: “We want to bring this matter in the form of a bill.” she gave no details nor said when such a law could be introduced in parliament.

Apparently referring to a pending case about obscenity, he said the government could assist the Supreme Court in the matter.

The minister acknowledged violations of restrictions of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority by “some” of a total of 89 licensed television channels – 47 of them news channels – but said all deviations could not be traced until the planned digitalisation of the monitoring system.

Mr Kaira briefly referred also to the government’s own complaints of bias against unspecified private channels but noted there had recently been a move within the media for self-correction while a code of conduct proposed by a three-member committee headed by the Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, was yet to be implemented.

The issue came up in a call-attention notice from four Muttahida Qaumi Movement members, who saw detriment to Pakistani plays and writers in telecasting foreign plays, which are sometimes dubbed from English into Urdu or Punjabi.

Mr Kaira informed the house that the existing code allowed the television channel programmes to have only up to 10 per cent of foreign content – 40 per cent of it being in English and 60 per cent Indian – and said there had been some positive response from India for telecasting Pakistani plays there.

Before being adjourned until 11am on Thursday, the house passed a government bill to provide for elimination of decimal and old coins, which are no more transacted in daily life due to their negligible worth, while the government introduced a new bill to empower the State Bank of Pakistan to impose monetary penalties on banks and exchange companies for violations of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 194

Pakistan Press Foundation