Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Islamabad (PEMRA) has issued the official Notification letter on 18 September, 2019 in connection with show cause notice on Telecast of Fake News against Channel-24.
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WHEREAS, M/s Central Media (Pvt.) Ltd. (Value TV / Channel-24) on September 17, 2019 at around 15:13 hrs, aired a fake, unfounded and baseless Breaking News alleging Government of Pakistan for seeking assistance from the Saudi Government to pacify Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman for his anti-government activities. Whereas, the government spokesperson has denied any such move for engaging Saudi Government for mediation.
AND WHEREAS, airing of such news seems to be a predetermined agenda to malign government and creating doubts in the minds of public. This kind of reporting raises question mark on performance of your channel’s Editorial Board as well as journalistic ethics being followed by your channel.
AND WHEREAS. M/s Central Media (Pvt.) Ltd. (Value TV / Channel-24) has been served various notices in the past for airing false and fabricated news stories and show cause notices dated 24-05-2019,1-04-2019, 13.03.2019 and 6.12.2018 were also issued to your channel. Subsequently, penalties were also imposed for violating PEMRA laws.
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AND WHEREAS, airing of such false news Is In sheer violation of Section 20 (1) of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2001, read with Clauses 3(1)(i, k, I), 4(1). 4(7)(8. c), 4(10), 5, 17 and 22 of Electronic Media (programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015 as well as the orders of the Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan in Suo Moto Case No. 28 of 2018, duly communicated to the channel on various occasions.
NOW THEREFORE, M/s Central Media (Pvt.) Ltd. (Value TV /Channel-24) is hereby directed 10 show cause, within seven (01) days of the issuance of this notice, as 10 why appropriate legal action may not be initialed against the channel for the above referred false news under the relevant provisions of the PEMRA laws. The licensee through its CEO is also directed to appear for personal hearing on September 25, 2019 at 1100 Hrs, at PEMRA HQs, Islamabad, ln person or through an authorized Representative.
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In case of non-compliance, the Authority shall be constrained 10 initiate ex-parte proceedings against your channel under Section 29 and 30 of PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007.
Moreover, it is also advised, if CEO of the channel intends to be represented by any authorized person, an authority letter to this effect, duly signed by the CEO himself, should reach this office one day prior to the scheduled hearing.This issues with approval of the competent authority.
