August 21, 2022 – The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has prohibited TV channels from airing live speeches of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan, citing “hate speech against state institutions”.
In a notification dated August 20, PEMRA stated that Khan is persistently levelling baseless allegations against state institutions and his statements are likely to disturb public peace and tranquility. The notification also carried an excerpt from Khan’s speech which he delivered while addressing a protest rally in Islamabad on Saturday. Khan, referring to the alleged torture of PTI leader Shahbaz Gill, had warned of legal action against the inspector general (IG) and deputy inspector general (DIG) of Islamabad police at the rally.
The ban has been imposed under Section 27 (prohibition of broadcast media or distribution service operation) of the PEMRA (Amendment) Act, 2007.
PEMRA also referred to its earlier notices directing TV channels to stop airing anti-state content and termed Khan’s statements a violation of Article 19 of the Constitution. The authority issued about five such notices between November and August, prohibiting channels from broadcasting content “maligning” state institutions, and warned of strict legal action in case of violation.
The authority, after analysing the content of Khan’s speech, observed that it was telecast by licensees without the effective time delay mechanism and constitutes violation of PEMRA laws.
The regulator, however, added that Khan’s recorded speech would only be permitted if channels installed the delay mechanism to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with PEMRA laws.
PEMRA has again directed channels to constitute an “impartial and independent” editorial board under Clause 17 of the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct, 2015 to ensure that their “platform is is not used by anyone for uttering remarks in any manner which are contemptuous and against any state institution and hateful, prejudicial to law and order situation in the country”.
