ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has advised television channels not to air comments and remarks related to the judiciary and warned of legal action if they did not adhere to the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

In an advisory issued on Monday, Pemra said discussions related to the construction of dams must not ridicule or criticise the judiciary.

The advisory stated: “During the monitoring of satellite TV channels over the last few days, a trend has been observed wherein news and current affairs satellite TV channels have been found airing live footage, media conferences and media talk of different politicians, analysts and legal fraternity containing aspersions against the honourable judiciary, while referring to Diamer-Bhasha dam fund, without any editorial control.”

The regulator pointed out that news channels repeatedly broadcast derogatory remarks against the superior judiciary during current affairs programmes and talk shows.

Pemra recalled that news channels had repeatedly been warned against airing any content that was in violation of the code of conduct.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018