Updated on
Summary
Expressing reservations over the amended Pemra Bill, the journalist association maintained that the laws have been used as a tool against media. The other day, despite the assurance given by the National Assemblys Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting to the Prime Minister, curbs on media to cover the terror acts have been recommended. It is said in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Bill 2010 presented in the National Assembly that no programme against government institutions will be presented. No conversation will be broadcasted which will affect any issue. It put a bar for not broadcasting video footage of suicide bombers, terrorists, bodies of victims of terrorism, statements and pronouncements of militants and extremist elements and other acts which, may, in any way, promote, aid or abet terrorists or terrorism. However, the PM assured to scrap all the abovesaid laws. Govt should mend its ways instead of barring media: Naseem ZehraSenior analyst Naseem Zehra, while talking to Dunya News said that the government could not bar the media altogether, however added that partial ban could be imposed on broadcast. He said that the real role of media is to question which would likely to annoy the incumbent government. She called upon the government to mend its ways instead of putting bars on media. Media should do self regulation: Sherry Former federal minister Sherry Rehman, while talking to Dunya News, said that to question the institutions is difficult and expressed concern over it. She, however, said that the media should commit to self regulation regarding coverage of terrorist activities. Govt should focus real issues: Rasheed Sheikh Rasheed maintained that media has become mature, and added that the public has nothing else except media. He called upon the government no to bar media and focus the real issues.
