Pemra constitutes complaint councils

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has set up committees from the general public to deal with peoples’ complaints against content and quality of the broadcast media.

The “Councils of Complaints” comprising representatives of the civil society will be based in Quetta, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi will hear public complaints against the television cable operators, FM radio stations and television stations in the private sector.

“Pemra wants the public to decide what they want to watch,” Mian Mohammad Javed, Chairman Pemra said while talking to newsmen here on Monday.

There have been complaints against the contents and quality of the programmes aired by the private sector which are in contrast to the country’s societal norms.

Pemra has recently advertised a list of foreign channels which the people prefer to watch on cable.

“The respective councils shall receive and review complaints made by persons or organizations from general public against any aspect of programmes aired by broadcast stations,” said Mian Javed.

“The idea is to let the people be a judge of what (programmes) conform to our cultural norms without any interference from the government in the affairs of the electronic media.”

The public, he said, have been complaining about the content being shown on the cable television and the Authority has been taking action against the violators. Now the Complaints Council will take care of the complaints and recommend action.

Each Council will have a commissioner and five members comprising prominent citizens, men of letters, educationists, retired civil servants and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Local Bodies.

These councils, set up with immediate effect, will take note of complaints and may recommend immediate action of censure, fine against a broadcast or cable TV network station or licensee for violation of the code of Conduct for programmes and advertisements.

However, the chairman said, the Authority will “exercise its best judgment” while deciding on councils’ recommendations.

The Council shall monitor, at random, all aspects of broadcasts, including the programme content, over-charging, quality of standards of he transmission of the broadcasts or cable TV stations.

It shall keep the authority informed about the feedback and public response to the contents, quality and impact of the programmes and advertisements broadcast or distributed.

Mian Javed said, the council will dispose of the matter within thirty days. In case of violation of the license conditions, the Authority may direct an officer to inspect in assistance with local law enforcing authorities and order closure if found guilty.

The Council can call any licensee and seek explanation about the operations and content of broadcast or cable TV network.

The council, which will hold regular meetings at least once a month, will submit detailed reports including the number of complaints received and disposed off.—APP

Following four councils have been constituted by the Authority:

Punjab:

1. Maj-Gen (retd) Abdul Sattar Chairman

2. President, CC&I Member

3. Naib Nazim of Lahore District Member

4 Sohail Ahmed Member

5 Ms Shahima Rehman Member

6. Dr Musarat Hussain Member

Sindh:

1. Nazim F. Haji Chairman

2. President, Karachi CC&I Member

3. Ms Mumtaz Rashdi Member