The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Monday barred television news channels from covering terrorist attacks.
Pemra’s directive comes after its earlier directive on the matter which urged TV channels to follow the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
In a notification, the authority said: “It is observed with grave concern that satellite TV channels are unable to comply with the provisions of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct-2015 despite repeated instructions.”
The regulatory body added that, during a terrorist attack, news channels simply ignore basic journalistic norms and ethics and resort to marathon transmission to take “leadership” and “credit” for breaking the news first. could It added that the channels “also violate journalistic ethics by broadcasting live images of crime scenes.”
Pemra said: “Satellite TV channels and their crews are not only duplicitous in terms of their security but also hamper rescue and war operations.”
The electronic media watchdog added that the information shared on news channels in such a situation is “unverified, speculative without consulting security agencies on the spot”.
Such reporting creates confusion among domestic and foreign viewers, the notification said.
Pemra also stated that reporting such incidents gives terrorists the advantage of “using the media as political advertisements” and “publicizing their campaign” to achieve their ideological goals.
“Furthermore, media coverage of such events also gives terrorists an organizational advantage that allows a particular group to project its strength and bravery over its rivals,” the watchdog said.
The orders come at a time when Pakistan has been reeling from terror attacks for the past few months, with Karachi the latest target after breaking into its heavily guarded police office, which Located on one of the main arteries of Shariah Faisal — Last Friday during which four people including police and Rangers personnel were martyred and three terrorists were killed.
The attack on the Karachi police office came a few weeks after the January 30 blast in Peshawar police lines that killed more than 72 people and injured 150.
During his visit to meet the injured of the KPO attack in the metropolis two days ago, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir asserted that the terrorists had no religious or ideological affiliation. Rather, only delusions have been forced through coercion or greed. .
“Contrary to the political and other distractions faced by the people, the security forces are focused only on CT [Counter-Terrorism] and Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) which are being conducted across the country with apparent success,” the army chief said. . said.
