Web Desk: Pakistan’s electronic media regulator has upheld a 15-day suspension of Geo News and imposed a Rs10 million fine over a Muharram transmission that authorities found violated broadcasting regulations related to religious depiction.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) announced its final decision after reviewing a complaint against Geo News’ “Safar-e-Ishq” program, which aired on the 10th of Muharram. The regulator said the case centered on religious imagery used during the broadcast.
PEMRA reached the decision during its 191st authority meeting held on July 11. The regulator said it reviewed recommendations from the Lahore Council of Complaints, the record of proceedings, Geo News’ written and oral submissions, the opinion of the Council of Islamic Ideology, and relevant provisions of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002 and the Electronic Media (Programs and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015.
The authority described the violation as serious and said it breached the broadcaster’s legal obligations and standards for responsible programming.
However, PEMRA acknowledged that Geo News admitted negligence, expressed remorse and issued an unconditional apology across its media platforms. The regulator treated those actions as mitigating factors but said they did not remove the legal consequences of the violation.
As a result, PEMRA upheld its June 27 order suspending the channel’s licence for 15 days. The suspension remained in force until midnight on July 11, and the regulator said Geo News could resume broadcasts only after completing the suspension period and paying the Rs100 million fine.
Furthermore, PEMRA directed Geo News management to complete disciplinary proceedings against employees found responsible for the lapse and dismiss them in accordance with applicable rules.
The regulator also said individuals dismissed as a result of the proceedings would not be allowed to work, directly or indirectly, for any PEMRA-licensed, registered or authorized media service operating under its jurisdiction.
In addition, PEMRA warned Geo News that any similar violation in the future could lead to cancellation of its broadcast licence.
The authority also instructed Geo News and all other licensed broadcasters to establish impartial and qualified in-house monitoring committees or editorial boards. It directed television channels to submit details of those bodies to the regulator and ensure editorial review of all content before broadcast.
Moreover, PEMRA said it would issue separate directives requiring all license holders to strictly implement the Supreme Court’s ruling in a suo motu case concerning broadcast standards.
The regulator warned that any future violations by broadcasters would invite stricter legal action under Pakistan’s media laws.
