The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed all rating companies to submit their daily data for 15 days to the top court and register themselves with the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
Headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar, a full bench of SC including Justice Umar Atta Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan ordered PEMRA to update the data of rating companies on its official website, noting that such companies will get their licenses from the media’s regulatory watchdog.
Based on the data listed on PEMRA’s website, the advertisers will be able to release their advertisements to the media houses, the bench remarked.
Answering a question regarding the practice of rating system in the country, the representative of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) told the bench that the system was first introduced in 2004.
Regarding the legislation, Justice Ijaz remarked that proper legislation must be crafted for rating media. The CJP asked whether the rating was necessary and an international practice needs to be introduced or not.
Via Tribune
