TV shows to seek clearance from ISPR before inviting retd military officers

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has directed all television channels to seek prior clearance from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) before inviting any retired military officer for their news or current affairs programs.

The authority, in a notification issued on April 4, stated that it has been observed that retired military officers, when invited on TV programs, “are usually not fully conversant with the latest defence and security developments due to their service background and post-retirement time”.

Therefore, in order “to solicit their views on matters of national security,” Pemra instructed channels to take permission from the military’s media wing.

Further, the media regulatory body noted that during TV shows discussions featuring such retired officers “mostly switch from security matters to politics, which inadvertently embroils military officers into political debate” — a situation it described as “undesirable”.

The notification also instructed that if the discussion, in any program, involves non-security matters, then such former military personnel guest be introduced simply as an “analyst”, otherwise, with the ISPR’s consent the guest may be named as “defense analyst” for security related discussion.

Pemra warned to ensure “strict compliance” of its orders by the electronic media.