According to sources, the letter is addressed to acting chairman Pemra.
In a letter, the government asked Pemra to take action against all TV channels which aired speeches of Altaf Hussain containing hatred or foul language against state institutions.
Govt seeks action against TV channels
The letter also added that the government supports freedom of press, however, any element spreading hatred in the society will be equally condemned.
The government sought action against any such channel under section-27 of the Pemra Ordinance.
Show-cause notice issued:
Reacting to government directives, the Pemra issued show-cause notice to 14 TV news channels for airing controversial speech of MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
According to a spokesperson of PEMRA, TV channels have been directed to immediately evolve a mechanism for delaying the broadcast to avoid such embarrassing situation. He said strict action would be taken for not following the directions.
Pemra law
Section-27 of the ordinance reads: “(a) broadcasting or re-broadcasting or distributing any programme or advertisement if it is of the opinion that such particular programme or advertisement is against the ideology of Pakistan or is likely to create hatred among the people or is prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order or is likely to disturb public peace and tranquility or endangers national security or is pornographic, obscene or vulgar or is offensive to the commonly accepted standards of decency;
or (b) engaging in any practice or act which amounts to abuse of media power by way of harming the legitimate interests of another licensee or willfully causing damage to any other person.”
