ISLAMABAD: Chairman of Markazi Ulema Council Pakistan and General Secretary of the International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Movement Pakistan, Sahibzada Maulana Zahid Mahmood Qasmi, on Sunday, welcomed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) decision to suspend Geo News broadcasting licence for 15 days over airing a special transmission that the regulatory authority said was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”.
In a statement, Maulana Qasmi said the regulatory authority had taken an appropriate step by acting against the broadcast of unacceptable religious imagery. He said the decision reflected PEMRA’s commitment to enforcing media regulations and protecting religious sensitivities.
Maulana Zahid Mahmood Qasmi said Geo News had aired a documentary on the 10th of the Holy Month of Muharram, following which the Government of Pakistan and the PEMRA took notice and imposed a ban on the television channel.
Qasmi welcomed the action, saying the Markazi Ulema Council Pakistan was satisfied with the decision and appreciated both the government and PEMRA for taking appropriate action.
He further said the ban imposed by PEMRA reflected the sentiments of the entire Pakistani nation, the Muslim Ummah and religious circles, adding that he commended the government and the media regulator for taking the action.
On Saturday, PEMRA suspended with “immediate effect” Geo News’ licence for 15 days over airing a special transmission that was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”.
In an order addressed to the chief executive officer of Independent Media Corporation (IMC) on June 28, PEMRA said the licence issued to IMC for “Geo News was suspended for a period of 15 days with immediate effect from the issuance.”
Issued under Section 30 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, the order citing the authority’s monitoring wing said that the broadcast of Geo News’ special transmission “constitutes a serious regulatory concern” due to religious, cultural and social sensitivities.
PEMRA noted in its order that the aired content was inconsistent with the obligations of a licensee under sections 20(b), (c), (d) and (f) of the PEMRA Ordinance.
Section 20(b) mandates a licensee to ensure the preservation of “national, cultural, social and religious values and the principles of public policy as enshrined in the Constitution”, while Section 20(c) orders ensuring that “all programmes and advertisements do not contain or encourage” religious discrimination or sectarianism, among other themes.
PEMRA noted that the matter was “also inconsistent” with its June 15 directive regarding ‘Observance of Sanctity of the Holy Month of Muharramul Haram’.
As per the order, the Geo News transmission will remain suspended on satellite and all distribution networks and platforms for the said period, with all distribution service licensees and operators directed to ensure immediate compliance with the PEMRA order.
Additionally, PEMRA referred the matter to its Council of Complaints for “examination, hearing and furnishing of appropriate recommendations, including consideration of further regulatory action, if so warranted under law”.
The regulatory body also directed Geo News to conduct an internal inquiry into the editorial, monitoring and compliance lapses leading to the broadcasting of the content, and to submit its recommendations to the Council, along with details of corrective and preventative measures during a hearing.
Geo apologises for ‘mistake’
Geo News, in a statement, acknowledged its mistake in airing the transmission broadcast on the 10th of Muharramul Haram.
“This content depicted certain rituals adopted by a limited number of people in Iraq and some other Middle Eastern countries. The content merely reflected these local rituals, and its purpose was not to represent, endorse, or promote any broader religious point of view.”
“This content was neither produced by Geo News nor was its broadcast carried out with any intention or purpose.”
“We wish to clarify that Geo News remains firmly committed to its policy of respecting the widely accepted beliefs and sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah. The inclusion of such content does not reflect our editorial position or the ideology of the organisation.”
“The relevant content was removed immediately, and the organisation promptly took action against the individuals involved.”
“Clarifications and an apology had been broadcast before the public response to the statement.”
“We express regret for any distress caused and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of religious respect.”
