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