Islmabad: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Monday banned television channels from coverage of terror attacks. The electronic media regulatory body's directives came in continuation to the earlier orders on the subject asking TV channels to adhere to the provisions of the PEMRA Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

The authority, in a notification issued today, stated: "It has been observed with grave concern that despite repeated directives satellite TV channels are unable to comply with provisions of Electronic Media Code of Conduct-2015 in letter and spirit." Following unfortunate incidents such as explosions or attacks by "miscreants", PEMRA — in the notification — added that channels resort to marathon transmission ignoring basic journalistic norms and ethics only to "take lead" and "credit" of breaking the news first as well as "airing live images of the crime scene".

"Satellite TV channels and their staff is found ambivalent of not only their own security but also create hurdles in rescue as well as combat operations," PEMRA stated. The electronic media watchdog further stated that information shared on news channels in such a situation is "unverified, speculative without consulting security agencies present on the spot".

"Such reporting hence creates panic and unwarranted chaos among the viewers not only in the country but also Pakistanis living abroad," the notification read.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 21 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.