Geo News attorneys dubbed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) accusation of ‘sedition‘ against the news channel as ‘totally illegal‘ on Thursday. Their legal counsels said PEMRA had acted ‘beyond its jurisdiction‘.
PEMRA had served Geo News a show-cause notice and, ultimately, a fine of one million rupees for airing a;
“highly seditious and scandalous programme against National Accountability Bureau Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal and maligning state institutions”.
Following PEMRA’s action, Geo News filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court (LHC) two months after the events.
ALSO READ
PEMRA Bans Coca Cola Ad For ‘Extremist’ Messaging
PEMRA states in the program Aaj Shahzaib Khanzada Kay Sath, the TV show host Shahzaib Khanzada discussed the matter of a scandalous video targeting the NAB chairman ‘unilaterally‘. The media watchdog says the episode aired on July 18 didn’t take into account NAB’s side of the story
Geo News vs PEMRA
In its petition, the news channel pleaded to the court that the prosecution’s allegation of sedition is not within its jurisdiction.
“Under the constitutional scheme of Pakistan, Pemra is certainly not a body that can be said to have any authority to distribute certificates of sedition or prosecute them from doing so.”
The petitioner further appealed that PEMRA’s notice makes it ‘apparent and clear’ that the media watchdog’s approach against the channel is ‘discriminatory, biased and unfair‘.
ALSO READ
Shamoon Abbasi’s Durj Gets Banned in UAE
Geo’s lawyers state that PEMRA’s accusation is ‘totally illegal’. The appeal added that the accusation shows PEMRA’s bias to protect the anti-corruption watchdog.
“Extreme level of discrimination, bias and willingness to go to any illegal lengths in order to protect NAB”.
The news channel referenced the sections in the Constitution of Pakistan for freedom of speech and the right to information. Geo News says PEMRA was ‘in violation of Articles 19 and 19(A) of the Constitution’.
Geo News urged the court to direct the PEMRA to act fairly and declare that the electronic media watchdog had;
“No authority to allege and determine the offence of ‘sedition‘” as per Pemra Ordinance 2002 and by levelling that allegation, it had acted ‘beyond its jurisdiction‘”.
ALSO READ
LHC Sets Early Hearing to Resolve the Case Behind “The Legend Of Maula Jatt” Release
The news channel asked the court to declare that Geo News had the freedom to air any news they wish to, and make ‘fair analysis and to criticize the conduct of NAB‘.
Geo wants the court to restrain PEMRA from taking any action against Geo News or any of its programs about the anti-corruption watchdog unless NAB takes legal action first.
“Unless NAB itself takes any legal action against the petitioner”.
LHC issued a notice to PEMRA demanding a response. The hearing was adjourned for an indefinite period.
via Dawn
