: RA Headquarters iG Government of Pakistan pending, Mauve Are, G-8/1, Islamabad, Yoos PAKISTAN ELECTRONIC MEDIA ph: 051-9107176 Sept REGULATOR Fax: 051-9107129 Qe Y AUTHORITY PEMRA F.No.3(07)/2023/0PS-BM/4628 Islamabad, May 31, 2023 All Satellite TV Channel Licens (News and Current Affairs & Regional Languages Channels) ENCE_TO_THE_PROVISIONS_OF_ELECTRONIC Subject DIRECTIVES_—_ADI MEDIA (PROGRAM 2015, This is in continuation to earlier directives/advice issued from time to time, with regard to the subject matter. 2. As per Article 19 of The Constitution of The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence, In Pakistan, like many other countries, speech that incites violence, promotes hatred, or poses threat to public order and security can be restricted or prohibited. The law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to maintain law and order and may take necessary measures to prevent or address riots or any form of violence. It is crucial to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and maintaining public order. Restrictions on speech during riots or situations of unrest are often aimed at preventing the escalation of violence and safeguarding the safety and well- being of the general public. 3. Inthis regard, attention of all the licensees is drawn to a tragic incident occurred on “Black Day” lives were endangered and anti state sentiments were prompted, attempting to weaken . May 9, 2023 wherein state and public properties were attacked, innocent Federation of Pakistan and state institutions. All such anti state activities were orchestrated by the politically charged up zealots of political party behaving largely as hate mongers to instigate stock political activists as well. All such was done with ulterior motives to damage state and its esteemed institutions. It is indeed a fact, such hate ge 1 of 4" i ion of mongers, representing political outfits are abusing power against the Federatlo lic. This is unequivocally Pakistan and state institutions by polluting innocent minds of publ a very horrific trend which needs to be condemned and those involved in promoting such activities must be boycotted on media for damaging peace and tranquility in the country. In the wake of aforementioned scenario, all satellite TV channel licensees are directed to remain vigilant and not to promote any hate monger, perpetrators and their facilitators ‘urthermore, all the licensees are directed to ensure compliance of the inadvertently. ctronic Media (Programmes and Advertisement) Code of Conduct ns of PEMRA laws and orders of the superior 2015.Licensees must adhere to provi time to such individuals who propagate hate courts by refraining from providing thei speech and provoke public sentiments against the Federation and State Institutions. 4 Whereas, airing of any sort of content whichis prima facie hateful, provocative/encourages violence is in violation of Section 20 (b) (c) (d) & (f) of PEMRA Ordinance, 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007, Rule 15(1) of PEMRA Rules, 2009, Regulation 18 1 (c) (g) of PEMRA (Television Broadcast Station Operations) Regulations 2012, Clause 4(10), 5 and 17 of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015 and theprinciples laid down by the Superior Courts vide their judgements passed in Sua Moto Case No. 28 of 2018 dated September 12, 2018 (reported as PLD 2019 C 1), Suo Motu Case No.7 of 2017, decided on 6" February, 2019 (reported as PLD 2019 Supreme Court 318) and the judgments of the Hon'ble Islamabad High Court, Islamabad passed in Criminal Original No. 270/2019 dated November 25, 2019 and in CMA No. 102 of 2022 dated September 05, 2022.Excerpt of law is reproduced hereunder for ready reference: Section 200f PEMRA Ordinance 2002 as amended by PEMRA (Amendment) Act 2007: Terms and conditions of licence:- A person who is issued a licence under this Ordinance shall:- b) ensure preservation of the national, cultural, social and religious values and the principles of public policy as enshrined in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; ©) ensure that all programmes and advertisements do not contain or encourage violence, terrorism, racial, ethnic or religious discrimination, sectarianism, extremism, militancy, hatred, pornography, obscenity, vulgarity or other material offensive to commonly accepted standards of decency; d) comply with rules made under this Ordinance; D comply with the codes of programmes and advertisements approved by the Authority and appoint an in-house5. their Editorial Boards to strictly ensure compliance of PEMRA laws as well as principles laid down by the Superior Courts, Further, all the licensees are also directed to ensure effective utilization of Time Delay Mechani Editorial Board as required under Clause 17 of Electronic Media (Programmes and 1g Page 30f 4 committee, under intimation to the Authority, to ensure compliance of the Code. Rule 15(1) PEMRA of PEMRA Rules: The contents of the programmes and advertisements which are broadcast or distributed by the broadcast media or distribution service operator, shall conform to the provisions of Section 20 of the Ordinance, these rules, the Code set out in the Schedule-A and terms and conditions of the licence. Regulation_18_1_(c)_(g)_ of PEMRA_(Television_Broadcast Station Operations) Regulations 2012: General standards for programmes: In addition to the Code of Conduct prescribed under the rules, the licensee shall comply with the following: ©) The licensee shall ensure that nothing is contained in any programme, or an advertisement, which is prejudicial to the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, Ideology of Pakistan, security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order or which may constitute contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence or brings into disrepute the State institutions including armed forces; 9) The licensee shall comply with the guidelines and directives issued by the Authority from time to time; Provisions of Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015: 4 (10). Editorial oversight: ‘The licensee shall ensure that its the programm and review the contents of the programme prior to programme going irdbel inform and spirit, this Code of Conduct. 5. Programming mix and live coverage:-No licensee shall broadcast any live programme unless there is an effective delaying mechanism put_in_place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial , is 17.Monitoring Committee, Licensee shall comply with this Code and appoint an in-house monitoring committee under intimation to the PEMRA to ensure compliance of the Code. Now therefore, all satellite TV channel licensees are directed to sensitize m and constitute an impartial & independent, ny could be Advertisement) Code of Conduct 2015 so that coherence and national harmony could 1d hate mongers, rioters, their facilitators and perpetrators are completely promoted. screened out from media, 6. ‘This issues with approval of the Chairman, PEMRA. (Mul Director General (Operations-Broadcast Copy for Informationto: - Director/PSO to the Chairman, PEMRA Headquarters, Islamabad. ii, Director General (Monitoring), PEMRA Headquarters, Islamabad. iii, Director/Head Legal, PEMRA Headquarters, Islamabad. Page 4 of 4