ISLAMABAD, Feb 20 (APP): Minister of State for Information,
Broadcasting and National Heritage, Marriyum Aurangzeb on Monday
assured the Senate of an effective monitoring mechanism at Pakistan
Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to check obscene,
sectarian and immoral content.
Winding up discussion on a motion regarding content
management by PEMRA, the minister said an appropriate strategy was
in place to monitor the content, though there was still need for
improving the suo moto mechanism to check any material that might
promote sectarian violence and immorality.
She said in case of violation of the code of conduct, PEMRA
initiates legal action which includes issuance of advisories, warnings, notices, show cause notice, imposition of fine and revocation or suspension of licence under Section 29 and 30 of PEMRA Ord 2002 as amended by PEMRA amendment act 2007 and section 20 of PEMRA Ord 2002 as amended by PEMRA Amended Act 2007 read with clauses of electronic media ( Programmes and Advertisements) 2015 bars licenses from airing material promoting sectarian violence.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said whenever PEMRA finds any content
violative of the Code of Conduct or any complaint was received by
the viewers in this regard, an immediate action was taken.
Mentioning to section 29 and 30 of the PEMRA Act, the
minister said, most of complaints were addressed but “we still have
the room to further strengthen the suo moto mechanism and in house
monitoring strategy”.
She said implementation of relevant laws was important as
she mentioned to some instances where organization got temporary
stay order and explained that when PEMRA effectively pursued such
cases the situation was addressed appropriately.
The minister said to ensure better content, the government
had also asked for making Editorial Content Committees functional and
more effective to strengthen internal monitoring system within
the electronic media organizations.
“Editorial Content Committees exist at all private sector
channels and other media organizations. In such organizations where
these committees were not active, they were asked to put this
mechanism in place,” she added.
She said in line with the National Action Plan, a mechanism
was evolved in the Information Ministry to monitor both print and
electronic media, Broadcasters and other related media and meetings
under this mechanism had been held at the Ministry in this
connection.
She said the efforts of PEMRA had also raised awareness
among people who complain about content that was in violation of the
Code of Conduct and the Council of Complaints addresses these
issues through necessary actions.
She said even the members could complain any time when they
see any obscene advertisements, or a program promoting sectarianism
or immorality.
“The ministry and PEMRA were the way out to address these
issues and improve the content ensuring that no programme or
advertisement was telecast which was against our norms and national
interest”.