Web Desk: Geo News has told Pakistan’s electronic media regulator that it dismissed employees responsible for producing and approving a controversial religious documentary after acknowledging editorial lapses that triggered regulatory action.
The disclosure came during a hearing before the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) Council of Complaints over proceedings related to the possible suspension of the broadcaster.
Representing the licence-holder company, Supreme Court lawyer Saim Hashmi acknowledged the mistake on behalf of Geo News management and offered an unconditional apology before the council.
Hashmi, along with High Court lawyer Arbaz Khan, submitted documents detailing the broadcaster’s internal inquiry and the disciplinary measures taken following the incident.
According to documents presented to the council, Geo News launched an immediate internal investigation after the broadcast.
The inquiry resulted in the dismissal of the individual who produced the documentary and a member of the editorial committee who approved it for broadcast.
The broadcaster said the disciplinary action reflected its commitment to preventing similar incidents in the future.
Hashmi told the council that Geo News has decided to appoint an Islamic scholar to its editorial committee to review sensitive religious content before it is aired.
The broadcaster said the move is intended to strengthen editorial oversight and reduce the risk of future errors involving religious programming.
The case relates to a one-hour religious travel documentary aired on the 10th of Muharram. According to Geo News, the programme inadvertently included 13 seconds of sensitive footage.
The broadcaster said it withdrew the documentary from further broadcast before PEMRA issued its notification and also removed the content from its digital platforms.
The Council of Complaints is hearing the case as part of PEMRA’s regulatory proceedings into the broadcast.
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