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PEMRA’S knee-jerk reaction to ARY host Kashif Abbasi’s show on Wednesday night was yet another example of the electronic media regulator’s misplaced assertion of authority.
It had initially banned the show for 60 days but better sense seemed to have prevailed last night when Mr Abbasi was allowed to continue as usual. In an angry response to PTI minister Faisal Vawda, who had crossed all bounds of decency during Mr Abbasi’s show, Pemra declared that Mr Vawda, “performed [a] very unethical act” and his arguments were “not only extremely frivolous and derogatory but also an attempt to debase a state institution”.
On the other hand, the host of the show, the notice charged, “was quite unprofessional who actually did not intervene … rather took the entire incident casually and kept smiling/cherishing such occurrence”. Although the immediate danger may have passed, Pemra should refrain from endangering the constitutionally protected right of freedom of speech in future. It should not be allowed to ban journalists for “smiling/cherishing occurrence”.
Much worse has been aired on TV channels without Pemra batting an eyelid. People have been spewing hate speech laced with racism and misogyny and have resorted to rabid character assassination but that somehow escapes the watchful eye of Pemra’s content monitors.
A TV host was, however, summarily banned because he did not stop a minister from ridiculing institutions.
Something is clearly amiss.
This may have to do with the regulator failing to act independently, and not upholding the standards of professionalism or appreciating freedom of speech. This is why all too often Pemra wades into a controversy of its own making and then has to beat an embarrassing retreat.
Last year, it issued a notice banning anchors from going to other shows and then was forced to take it back when it was scolded by the Islamabad High Court. The authority would be well-advised to reconsider its ham-handed approach because it does not stand up to scrutiny.
The regulator should think twice before issuing such notices in the future.
Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2020
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Comments (38) Closed
Jan 17, 2020 08:14am
If PEMRA should not act then who will act on these programs ? Is that ok to show boot in front of TV viewers ? This is mockery of democracy
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Jan 17, 2020 08:31am
I beg to differ with your assertion, "Pemra's foolish action". Being a senior and experienced anchorperson one did not expect that he would let the situation go out of his
hands. Furthermore it is not understood how freedom of expression has been endangered by Pemra action.
The anchorperson exhibited unprofessionalism by letting the Minister say what ever he wanted to say, but when the two seasoned politicians were leaving , he did not make any attempt to pacify them or stop thrm. In fact the anchorperson was responsible for not letting the two politician the right to express their views.
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Jan 17, 2020 08:40am
The constitutional right of freedom of speech is not unlimited. Article 19 of the constitution has defined the boundaries of this freedom. Below is the complete Article 19 of the constitution (which is self explanatory):
"19 Freedom of speech, etc.
Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, commission of or incitement to an offence."
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Jan 17, 2020 08:53am
Pemra did the right thing...if pemra did something wrong or partial in past then it is regrettable but making it base for future is not appropriate ...the smile n jester shown by him clearly have demoting meaning which can read by any person of common prudence .... Nowbody saw Wawda carrying boot with him to the studio ? Such sort of freedom of speech should be discouraged، infact this is misuse of freedom of speech.....
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Jan 17, 2020 08:56am
PM Imran Khan already taken action, now matter should be closed.
Pemra may review its action, and only warn the Kashif to care in future. The guest must not be allowed to take anything in covert.
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Jan 17, 2020 09:43am
the host needed chastising. the guest needs banning for a year or longer with a multi year probation.
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Jan 17, 2020 09:58am
Yes, it was Mr Vawda's fault through and through, and to some extent the anchorperson's, who in his own words, accepted that he should have interfered sooner. But why do media outlets never accept their own responsibility? It was a core group of anchors, who hyped this matter to such an extent, that Pemra were forced into a corner. Is there no stopping of news media anchorpersons?
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Jan 17, 2020 10:07am
Freedom of speech must be protected unless it presents a clear and present danger to national security. I will also add that the Judiciary is the only institution should decide what falls within the ambit of national security.
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Jan 17, 2020 10:39am
The host of the show was clearly waiting for the shows production team to do something. One can clearly see Kashif Abbasi looking at camera wanting for instructions in ear piece. He may be the host but he doesn't make the show. Stop blaming him.
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Jan 17, 2020 10:58am
Boots stands tall
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Jan 17, 2020 11:05am
I think Kashif and his channel have clearly demonstrated their biased views for years and their agenda. I also believe that Kashif was part of this stunt that backfired and does not have the moral courage to take a stand
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Jan 17, 2020 11:08am
A good editorial duty is reflected here. It speaks on behalf of citizens.
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Jan 17, 2020 11:12am
He should be banned for 60 days because it is his duty to stop the degrading attitude of learned person, he must have stopped the transmission immediately by calling for intermission
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Jan 17, 2020 12:00pm
Only we can make so much out of just a boot. Boring.
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Jan 17, 2020 12:00pm
Kashif Abassi has been inviting hate in his show for ages. Not only that he insults his guests promotes rudeness encourages abuse and insults. I think he should be banned from tv for good.
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Jan 17, 2020 12:06pm
Very interesting reaction from youths of today. They don't find anything wrong in showing the boot in public. Changing value system. "what's wrong in it? Why are you freaking out? Chill".
He managed to get attention to his point of view successfully. Isn't that smart? Just look at the media attention. Isn't this how today's social media acts and reacts?
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Jan 17, 2020 12:06pm
@Asif A. Shah, Freedom of speech doesnot advocate that what ever you want to speak, you can do that. Freedom of speech has some ethics and codes to be followed. Judiciary is not an audit department nor is responsible for every check and balance.
Perma should enforce strict code of conduct for electronic media. No doubt, majority of anchors are immature and working to mint money for the channel.
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Jan 17, 2020 12:13pm
Don act like blinds... vawda brought shoe and abbasi was knowing that.
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Jan 17, 2020 12:50pm
The anchor looked clearly embarrassed. The team in the background should have thought quick on their feet and give instructions in the anchors earpiece. Its a learning curve. However, given how low our politicians can stoop especially in front of the nation on air, perhaps (if not given already) Pemra can give some clear guidelines for all channels to follow in similar eventualities.
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Jan 17, 2020 12:58pm
It is the responsibility of the anchor and the channel to inform the guests about PEMRA rules before a program. It is clear from the footage that Kashif Abbasi KA was initially quite pleased with the appearance of the boot in his program which might have something to do with the ratings. As the discussion continued KA slowly realized what had happened and even then was clearly reluctant to stop it
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Jan 17, 2020 01:26pm
@Khaled, agree with you
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Jan 17, 2020 02:28pm
Dime a dozen TV talk shows anchored by thrill seeker anchormen/women. Abbassi should have cut off broadcast immediately. Most of the time discussions are focused on blame game, shouting , cursing have become norms of these shows.
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Jan 17, 2020 02:54pm
@Khaled, Vawda was telling it like it is as they say. Get over it!
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Jan 17, 2020 02:57pm
No one can pull off a stunt like that on their own. The way Kasif was playing along it was clear they both were in it together. All seemed a bit scripted and who knows that event the opposirion guys were in on it. Anyhring is possible in our country.
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Jan 17, 2020 04:55pm
“not only extremely frivolous and derogatory but also an attempt to debase a state institution”.
I am sorry of being ignorant of which institute PEMRA is referring to?
I thought it was parliament and democracy but why it seems it is Rawalpindi.
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Jan 17, 2020 05:17pm
PTI Govt. has done nothing to hold accountable to the TV news anchor persons. Their assets beyond income should be investigated fairly. There are many anchors, who are working for the interest and monetary benefits for politicians and not for the country. It is time now to take them to task.
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Jan 17, 2020 05:59pm
OF all the regulation bodies; PEMRA is one that is not needed!
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Jan 17, 2020 06:34pm
Why we always have live programs? Such shows are recorded everywhere and then shown later. There is no need to live broadcast talk shows.
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Jan 17, 2020 06:36pm
Kashif might have reacted more reasonable (which he admits he didn't) but it had seemed too harsh to ban him because one of senior minister of the govt wont behave himself...unethical and unprofessional maybe but it didn't deserve a ban..
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Jan 17, 2020 07:17pm
@Haseeb, what is wrong with showing a boot on the show and what anchor has to do with this. We all remember when slapping happened on live show against political rivals. This reflects no tolerance in the society at any level and showing might all the time. If a politician is doing unacceptable on a live show that reflects his or her political training and let people decide in future. PEMRA at the most can ask That TV channel for explanation rather than banning a show because of one person behavior.
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Jan 17, 2020 07:23pm
I agree. PEMRA shows sheer lack of judgement and logic in this case. Vawda is a minister it is his responsibility to show restraint and decency in public. He should be punished. PEMRA if autonomous will have to make difficult decisions to fix their image as fair and neutral.
PEMRA, under such circumstances should make strict rules of engagement for the participants of talk shows.
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Jan 17, 2020 08:00pm
@Haseeb, It is not mockery, it is an expression of Democracy.
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Jan 17, 2020 09:49pm
Action should be taken against Faisal vawda not Kashif Abbasi... He brought the boot to the show...
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Jan 17, 2020 10:23pm
@Khaled, you are right sir
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Jan 17, 2020 10:31pm
My advice to those who are criticizing the show and responses - Please do not watch if you don't like it.
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Jan 17, 2020 11:40pm
"freedom of speech"?
By the definition, Wada's outburst should also fall under this category. Kashif was the moderator and should have intervened when Wada was ranting nonsense.
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Jan 18, 2020 06:04am
I wonder why people even watch these talk shows where civilized interaction is n't possible.
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Jan 18, 2020 09:22am
PEMRA acted very rightly, any program maligning the state institutions such as armed forces should not be allowed. I have been living in USA and Australia for the last 10 years and have noticed that whenever it comes to national security or any issues which involve national institutions their freedom of expression does not apply and they ban all such programs or activities which directly or indirectly affect their national institutions. Whereas in Pakistan our media is very active in defaming the national institutions. I think PEMRA should be more proactive when anything is published or aired against our national institutions and exemplary punishment is set to avoid future recurrences of such actions.
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