Broadcasters urge PEMRA to reverse TV ratings ban

The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has written a letter to the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), demanding the immediate restoration of suspended TV rating services, ARY News reported.

According to reports, in the letter, the PBA expressed concerns over the challenges arising from the abrupt suspension of TV rating services. They emphasised that this decision has led to a significant decline in media investments, adversely impacting broadcasters and advertisers alike.

The PBA highlighted that the suspension of TV ratings has resulted in the cancellation of several advertising campaigns, causing substantial revenue losses for the industry.

The association further stressed that TV ratings are a critical metric for broadcasters and advertisers to gauge performance and make strategic decisions. It urged PEMRA to reconsider its decision and reinstate the rating services promptly to address the concerns of the media and advertising sectors.

Back in May 2024, Islamabad High Court (IHC) served a notice to PEMRA over ban on court coverage.

As per details, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition filed by the Journalists Association, challenging the authority’s notification and restrained PEMRA from taking disciplinary action against TV channels.

The Islamabad High Court had issued notices to PEMRA and the Secretary of Information, and the petitioners, including Barrister Omar Ayaz Gullani, appeared in court. The President of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, Riasat Ali Azad, also appeared before the court.

The development came after four petitions were filed against PEMRA notification prohibiting TV channels from news of court proceedings.

The petitions mentioned as respondents the PEMRA chairman and director general, the federal government through the secretaries for interior and law and parliamentary affairs.

The petitions called for the PEMRA notification to be suspended, set aside and declared illegal.