Pakistan’s TV media regulator on Wednesday banned the country’s news channels from broadcasting terrorist attacks. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) announced the ban by adding that media channels will air the information as may be “warranted by the security agency in charge of the operation”, indicating that media channels won’t be able to operate as per their free will during situations of conflict adding up as terror attacks. The directives came days after an earlier order urging TV channels to adhere to the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
“During any ongoing rescue or security operation, identity and number of victims or other important information shall not be revealed unless the same is warranted by the rescue or security agency incharge of the operation,” the body said in its order.
The regulatory body claimed that despite repeated directives satellite TV channels are “unable to comply with provisions of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct-2015 in letter and spirit.” The regulatory body further justified the move by saying that news channels go for speedy transmission of terrorist attacks by ignoring basic journalistic norms and ethics in order to “take lead” and “credit” for breaking the news first.
Channels violate journalistic ethics by “airing live images of the crime scene,” the body said.
“Satellite TV channels and their staff are found ambivalent of not only their security but also create hurdles in rescue and combat operations,” the regulatory body said, adding that information shared on news channels in such a situation is “unverified, speculative without consulting security agencies present on the spot”.
“Moreover, media coverage of such incidents also gives terrorists an organisational advantage by allowing a specific group to exhibit its strength and audaciousness in comparison with its rivals,” the regulatory body said.
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