With the mushroom growth of private channels in the 2000s, the government of Pakistan decided to establish a regulatory authority that would monitor the content that is being aired and shown to the people of Pakistan. It was indeed a step in the right direction because “absolute power corrupts,” and media with such a significant influence should be held accountable for its content. But who knew that this institution would turn into a “Giant Monster” that protects the interests of the few elite and suppress the freedom of the whole Pakistani nation.
The problem started in 2007 when PEMRA began acting as an organ of the sitting government and directed the TV channels not to publish any news against the armed forces and the country’s ruling elite. Two years later, PEMRA banned two TV channels named GEO TV and AJ TV for violating the SOPs. This was the start of the dark age in Pakistan where we saw TV channels being banned, journalists being taken off the air, and the constant reminders that Islam, Pakistan, and its culture are in danger.
Nowadays, we see that Pakistani media has turned into a complete mess where misogynistic values, male dominance, and patriarchal culture are constantly being portrayed. And in the middle of this, if we see something good, it gets banned in the name of religion and culture. For example, the recent notification of PEMRA to ban hugs and kisses on the screen by declaring it against our cultural values and faith. Sadly, public display of affection for PEMRA is against our moral values, but hitting women is not. And the icing on the cake is that the same PEMRA that claims to be the savior of our culture has seen its DG being sacked for sexual harassment.
The problem does not end here as the authority has also banned airing the speeches of the leader of the second-biggest party of Pakistan. It means that the institution made to promote democratic values and freedom is itself creating hurdles for it. The list goes on and on, but one thing is for sure that Pakistan needs to come out of this chaos as soon as possible. Otherwise, it would push us to the stone age and produce an extremist breed of Pakistanis with no critical thinking.
I agree with your argument, and it reminded me of how the HRCP once called PEMRA to be a tool for more than political convenience-banning of speeches is against the constitutional rights and still no one can do anything about it because there are people with power behind such actions. According to the HRCP, PEMRA allowed censorship when it favored certain individuals and abandoned it when it did not. It also reminds me of a discussion we had in class regarding media being under the influence of capitalism as well. It is interesting to see the role of PEMRA, because it is through politics that capitalism in Pakistan is able to thrive. If PEMRA can allow for only a certain…
Censorship reinforced through strict, unjustified state-sanctioned rules and regulations is the biggest problem with media. Mainstream media in Pakistan such as news outlets propagate certain notions suiting their political agenda, and censor or in certain cases maneuver those which are unsuitable, often publicizing a false narrative as the truth. Further, Broadcasting regulators such as PEMRA continue to shut down television channels for airing ‘vulgar and immoral content,’ criticism of the establishment and the government. Doing so takes away from the profession of journalism itself as many have been banned for expressing their concerns to the government. This further violates free expression and discriminates against minorities who may be critical of the status quo but fear voicing their concerns due to…
I agree with the concerns that you have raised about PEMRA. PEMRA’s assertions of policing the channels according to its definition of Pakistani identity is very undemocratic. Its limited view of what the Pakistani culture is reflected through its policies. Its criterion of the Pakistani culture is very problematic as it seems to acknowledge violence yet terms love as “un-Pakistani”. This raises the question of what stands or is suitable for a Pakistani culture. This reminds me of an article(https://www.dawn.com/news/1287968/what-is-pakistani-culture-anyway?fbclid=IwAR1s1KNMV2EywtKx2W4E_yN_AuwNJAQ3SOjHVC2lNhpaZZqcanFzgWhEkO8) I read recently by Maria Amir where she connects the concept of culture within Pakistani context. In order to identify this culture, she explains that one needs to look at the common as well as individual characteristics exercised by people.…