Faizabad sit-in: LHC issues notices to federation, PEMRA for banning news channels
The claimant demanded the court to take action against the responsible people.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday has issued notices to federal government and chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) for banning news channels that were on airing Fiazabad sit-in transmission.
Advocate Azhar Siddiq sumitted a plea in LHC, terming PEMRA‘s move as violation of the constitution. He said that media unveiled inefficiency of the government by surfacing real facts.
The claimant further demanded the court to take action against the responsible people.
Subsequently, LHC judge Ayesha A Malik adjourned the hearing after issuing notices to federation and chairman PEMRA.
On November 25, a blanket ban was imposed on mainstream news channels by PEMRA for airing protests that spread across the country by the workers of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR).
The much criticised decision to halt transmission of news channels was taken under the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015. The decision was strongly condemned by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) in a statement: “PBA is a signatory to the Code of Conduct that is approved by the Supreme Court and has always been willing to abide by it. The right to information is a fundamental right guaranteed by the constitution”. “The outright closure of news channels regardless of their content and conduct will not be acceptable by PBA and this action must be reversed immediately.”
On Sunday evening, following much criticism of the decision, restoration of transmission of news channels was ordered by the government.
