Pemra has issued a notification forbidding TV channels from broadcasting content that is contradictory to the spirit of "national interest".

Our reporter managed to bag an exclusive interview with a Pemra member to discuss the controversial notification ...


Reporter: Sir, can you elaborate a bit more on what this notification is really about?

Pemra: Haven't you read it?

Reporter: I have, but a lot of people seem to be a bit confused about what exactly constitutes the contradiction of the spirit of national interest...

Pemra: What was that?

Reporter: Sir, I asked what exactly constitutes the contradiction of the spirit of national interest?

Pemra: Did you really have to use so many words?

Reporter: Sir, I am only using the words that are in the notification.

Pemra: You don't have to repeat them to me. I wrote them.

Reporter: So, what exactly is the ...

Pemra: You don't have to repeat the question either.

Reporter: Okay. So, what's the answer?

Pemra: To what?

Reporter: To my question.

Pemra: Sorry, I can't answer that question.

Reporter: Why not?

Pemra: It's contradictory to the spirit of national interest.

Reporter: Excuse me?

Pemra: No, you can't be excused. You have put national interest in danger and bought a bad name to the country.

Reporter: Just by asking that question?

Pemra: Yes.

Reporter: But what else should I have asked?

Pemra: You could have asked what my favourite colour is.

Reporter: But the interview is not about you, sir. It's about the notification that your organisation has sent to TV channels.

Pemra: You have a problem with that?

Reporter: No. The truth is, I personally believe there should be a strict code of ethics that should guide TV channels during their coverage of sensitive issues.

Pemra: Hmm. Alright. But did you really have to use so many words?

Reporter: Well, not really, but I just wanted to ...

Pemra: Purple.

Reporter: Excuse me?

Pemra: Purple. My favorite colour is purple.

Reporter: That's nice to know, sir, but that's not what I asked.

Pemra: Then what did you ask?

Reporter: I asked, what exactly constitutes ...

Pemra: Ah, ah. Watch it now. It's a matter of national interest.

Reporter: What is, pray tell!

Pemra: There, you've done it again. That's treachery, you know. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Reporter: I think we need to know what the notification is about. It is our right to know and your duty to tell.

Pemra: So many words.

Reporter: Okay then, will a simple, 'what' do?

Pemra: Yes, it will.

Reporter: Great. What?

Pemra: Purple.

Reporter: No, the notification.

Pemra: What?

Reporter: What are the things that contradict national interest ...?

Pemra: So many words.

Reporter: Okay, what contradiction national interest?

Pemra: Still, too many words.

Reporter: Okay, national interest, what?

Pemra: Yes, national interest very important.

Reporter: What contradicts it?

Pemra: Hate speech. Irresponsible reporting. Sensationalism. Criticism for the sake of criticism. Negativity. Nudity...

Reporter: Nudity?

Pemra: I said that.

Reporter: Yes, you did, but what nudity? On news channels?

Pemra: Yes. Have you ever seen a news anchor in his underwear? Terrible, terrible sight.

Reporter: On TV? Which news anchor?

Pemra: The treacherous ones.

Reporter: The ones who...

Pemra: Ah, ah. Watch it. National interest.

Reporter: Okay, then let me ask another question...

Pemra: Keep it short.

Reporter: Okay. Sir, there are some who say that certain folk are allowed to spout hate speech on TV, while others aren't. That this notification is not even-handed and...

Pemra: So many words. Why aren't you asking questions that are relevant to the topic?

Reporter: But this is quite relevant to the topic, sir.

Pemra: Biryani.

Reporter: Excuse me?

Pemra: Biryani. My favorite dish.

Reporter: But that's not what I asked.

Pemra: Why not?

Reporter: Our readers aren't interested in what your favorite dish is.

Pemra: Why not? Don't they eat food?

Reporter: I'm sure they do, but my question was that whether this notification is for all politicians and anchors or for just specific people?

Pemra: So many words, so many words.

Reporter: Okay, how about if I just say, 'is it?'

Pemra: Still too many words.

Reporter: Is?

Pemra: Keep it short, keep it short.

Reporter: .......

Pemra: Yes, that's the main gist of the notification. Have a nice day.

Reporter: But, I didn't say anything.

Pemra: Exactly.

Reporter: But I ...

Pemra: Ah, ah. National interest.

Opinion

Enter the deputy PM

Enter the deputy PM

Clearly, something has changed since for this step to have been taken and there are shifts in the balance of power within.

Editorial

All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...
Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...