On Monday, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited TV channels from covering terror attacks. The regulatory body issued the directive to TV channels to comply with the PEMRA Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.
The notification said that despite repeated directives, channels do not follow the code of conduct, which poses a serious concern. When covering incidents like explosions or attacks, TV channels often ignore basic journalistic norms and ethics to be the first to break the news. This leads to marathon transmissions and airing live images of the crime scene.
PEMRA observed that TV channels and their staff do not take their security seriously. Moreover they create obstacles in rescue and combat operations. In addition, the information shared on news channels is unverified and speculative. This cause panic and chaos among viewers in the country and abroad.
PEMRA mentioned that the reporting of such incidents benefits terrorists. As terorists use the media for political advertising and to publicize their campaign. PEMRA’s orders come at a time when Pakistan has been suffering a spate of terror attacks. This include the recent attack on the KPO, which resulted in the deaths of four people, including security personnel.
The Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, during his visit to meet the injured of the KPO attack, said that terrorists have no religious or ideological moorings, but only misguided conceptions forced through coercion or inducement. The army chief further asserted that security forces remain singularly focused on counter-terrorism and intelligence-based operations being conducted all over the country with pronounced success.
