National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory
Authority (PEMRA) Council of Complaints, Islamabad directed the
Samaa to immediately air apology for airing baseless and defamatory
news report against Chairman National Accountability.
The Council directed the TV channel to air the apology in the
same manner and magnitude. The Council also recommended that in case
of non-compliance, PEMRA may proceed against Samaa TV as per law.
The council was hearing two different complaints of National
Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Samaa TV for airing baseless and
defamatory news reports.
NAB in its complaint to PEMRA dated September 9, 2015 had
sought appropriate action against Samaa TV under the law for airing
unverified, false and baseless news against Chairman NAB and NAB as
an institution on September 8, 2015 between 8.30 to 9.0 p.m.
According to the complaint, Samaa TV, while referring to the
investigation of Dr. Asim Hussain had alleged involvement of
Chairman NAB in financial corruption which was immediately rebutted
by the spokesman of Sindh Rangers.
In another complaint against the same channel dated November
30, 2015, NAB had pleaded that Samaa TV repeated an attempt to
tarnish the image and repute of Chairman NAB and NAB as an
institution by airing false and concocted news on November 18, 2015
which was also immediately rebutted by the spokesman WAPDA.
The Council after hearing the both parties and in the light of
evidences; directed Samaa TV channel to immediately air an apology
in the same manner and magnitude failing which PEMRA to proceed
against the channel as per law.