‘Pemra should not suppress individual’s rights,’ PTI leaders slam new order

Senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have slammed Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on a new order that had banned TV anchors from appearing on talk shows hosted by other anchors.

Former finance minister Asad Umer, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari and Federal Minister for Science & Technology Fawad Chauhdry have expressed their dismay over Pemra’s decision and urged the media watchdog to do a better job.

Asad Umar took to Twitter and wrote that “Pemra should be doing a better job and asked it to take action against fake news rather than suppress individual’s rights to express their opinion”.

Amazing decision by pemra to stop anchors to go on any other talk show and express their opinion! Pemra should be doing a better job taking action against completely fake news and not suppressing the right of individuals, including anchors, to express their opinion

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 28, 2019

Human rights minister Shireen Mazari also weighed in on the order and tweeted that, “Do I need a degree in politics to be an expert on politics? I have no degree in “human rights” so should I go on TV to discuss “human rights” issues?”

Who is an "expert"? An interesting tho unintended debate has been generated – so purely at an academic non-political level: Do I need a degree in politics to be an expert on politics? I have no degree in "human rights" so should I go on TV to discuss "human rights" issues?

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 28, 2019

Agreeing with the Shireen Mazari, Fawad Ch termed the Pemra order illogical, unnecessary and uncalled for.

PRMRA notification to ban anchors to appear on other shows is uncalled for, illogical and unnecessary totally agree with @ShireenMazari1 https://t.co/C2ueQAo7zK

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 28, 2019

Moreover, several journalists including Shahzeb Khanzada, Mansoor Ali Khan, Fereeha and Shahzad Iqbal have criticised the move and urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take notice.

مخالفین کی گرفتاریوں سے لیکر میڈیا پر پابندیوں تک، جو کچھ ملک میں ہورہا ہے اگر وزیراعظم کے کہنے پر ہورہا ہے تو پریشانی کی بات ہے اور اگر ملک کے وزیراعظم کو پتہ ہی نہیں ہے کہ یہ سب ہورہا ہے تو اور زیادہ پریشانی کی بات ہے۔ پروگرام نیا پاکستان میں تجزیہ pic.twitter.com/0TTkquR0IE

— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) October 27, 2019

PEMRA directs anchors not to appear in other shows as experts. pic.twitter.com/dugGUN38fH

— Mansoor Ali Khan (@_Mansoor_Ali) October 27, 2019

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI should take notice of this. There is s difference btw news readers and opinion makers.Obviously programme anchors n analysts are well informed people and they can give good background on an issue and at times information. Banning them makes no sense

— Fereeha M Idrees (@Fereeha) October 27, 2019

Anchors/Journalists if not media owners should take a stand on these directives..We continue to accept opressive directives that are killing journalism in Pak and Pemra continues to exert more pressure#PEMRA pic.twitter.com/uVs7mSGM0x

— Shahzad Iqbal (@ShahzadIqbalGEO) October 28, 2019

The regulatory authority on Sunday, through a notification, banned regular TV talk show anchors from appearing in other talk shows and warned those indulging in “inappropriate and biased analyses and negative propaganda” of action.

According to a Pemra’s notification, under its regulations, anchors are liable to host the show impartially and objectively without giving verdict on any issue.