NEWS CONTENT ON PRIVATE TV CHANNELS IN PAKISTAN: PEMRA STANDARDS AND INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES

Authors

  • Muhammad Sajjad
  • Dr. Juriah Abd. Jalil

Keywords:

Media Freedom, Fake-news, Media Content, Standards of Reporting, Responsible Journalism, Pakistani media

Abstract

Abstract
This article addresses issues like misinformation, violent content, distorted conflict reporting, infringement of privacy, and biased coverage of elections by private Pakistani channels. Vocal media, no doubt, strengthens democratic institutions but the misuse of freedom of expression must be avoided - a freedom that comes with certain pre requisites and responsibilities. Content regulation creates a balance between rights and responsibilities of both the regulated and the regulator. It entails protection for the media from commercial interests, pressure groups or state bureaucracy; and for the public so that its right to information and privacy is guarded against misinformation, propaganda or menacing content. In this context, current Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) standards need to be re-evaluated in view of ongoing compliance related issues in news content. The article analyses PEMRA standards for news programmes in light of the modern broadcasting codes/rules/conventions to address the problem of content violations in Pakistan.

Author Biographies

Muhammad Sajjad

practising lawyer, currently Head of Corporate & Commercial at a law firm in Muscat. He can be contacted at elsonbright@gmail.com.

Dr. Juriah Abd. Jalil

Associate Professor at Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia. She can be contacted at juriah@iium.edu.my.

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Published

20-08-2018

How to Cite

Sajjad, Muhammad, and Dr. Juriah Abd. Jalil. 2018. “NEWS CONTENT ON PRIVATE TV CHANNELS IN PAKISTAN: PEMRA STANDARDS AND INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES”. Journal of Contemporary Studies 7 (1):20-37. https://jcs.ndu.edu.pk/site/article/view/136.