PEMRA's notification of court reporting ban challenged in LHC, IHC
Pakistan
The petitioners say it violates Articles 19 and 19-A
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) notification prohibiting court reporting has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Advocate Samra Malik challenged PEMRA’s notification in the LHC. She makes PEMRA, the federal government, and information secretary respondents.
The petitioner said the notification of PEMRA was a violation of Articles 19 and 19-A of the constitution. She requested the court to annul PEMRA’s notification until final verdict on the petition.
Another petition has also challenged the PEMRA notification in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS) and the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA) filed the petition against PEMRA’s notification making information secretary and PEMRA chairman respondents.
Barrister Umer Ijaz Gillani and IHC Bar President Riasat Ali Azad have filed the petition in IHC.
Petition alleged that Supreme Court's (SC) order was misinterpreted in notification of PEMRA. The petition stated that the PEMRA notification violated freedom of speech granted in constitution under Article 19 and 19-A.
The petition has demanded to annul the notification issued by PEMRA on court reporting ban.
The Press Association of Supreme Court (PAS) and the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association (IHCJA) on Wednesday rejected PEMRA’s notification of May 21, which prohibited TV channels from airing tickers and headlines with regard to court proceedings.
However, TV channels are allowed to report court proceedings which are broadcast live and they can also report courts’ written orders.
