The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority issued on April 12 a show-cause notice to Geo News for its broadcast of Indians songs and visuals from Indian films while reporting the news of famous singer Asha Bhosle’s death.
“It has always been customary to revisit and celebrate the work of iconic artists when reporting on them. In fact, for an artist of Asha Bhosle’s stature, we should have shared even more of her timeless and memorable songs than we did. Yet, Pakistan’s electronic media regulator, Pemra, has chosen to restrict this,” said Azhar Abbas, the managing director of Geo News, on X.
“Art, like knowledge, is a shared heritage of humanity and it should not be confined by borders. Asha Bhosle herself admired Pakistan’s legendary singer Noor Jahan, whom she fondly called her “elder sister.” She collaborated with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and brought to life the poetry of great Urdu poets like Nasir Kazmi. In times of war and conflict, art and artists should not become casualties. Intellectuals, musicians, and creators are often the very voices that stand against hatred and division, and the ones who bring people closer together,” he remarked.
In the notice, PEMRA has called the airing of Indian content “wilful defiance [of] the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan.” The apex court has reinstated the ban on airing Indian content on Pakistani TV channels in 2018.
According to PEMRA, Geo has been found in violation Section 20 (f) of the Pemra Ordinance, 2002 as amended by the PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2023, which makes it compulsory for channels to comply with the rules set by the authority.
The regulator also said Geo violated Rule 15(1) of the Pemra Rules, 2009, Regulation 18 1 (g) of the Pemra (Television Broadcast Station Operations) Regulations 2012, and Clause 4(10), 5, 17, 20 and 24 of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015.
Geo’s CEO has been summoned on 27 April and directed to explain in writing within 14 days why action should not be taken against the channel.
