The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Thursday expressed concern over extensive broadcasting of negative news on private news channels.
The committee, met here with Javaria Zafar Aheer in the chair, issued directives to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ensure promotion of positive developments within the country as well.
The committee members emphasized that the sensationalism of crime-related incidents and tragic events was painting a negative image of Pakistan on the international stage.
Naz Baloch remarked that private media channels now rarely aired positive news, neglecting their responsibility to educate viewers.
Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro suggested that PEMRA should instruct media outlets to produce informative programs, and Asiya Azeem emphasized the need for checks and balances in the coverage of crime-related events, considering their adverse impact on the nation’s psyche.
Javaria Zafar Aheer criticized the lack of journalistic ethics in private media, noting that crimes were often glamorized on screens.
PEMRA Chairman Salim Baig informed the committee about the actions taken against media outlets, but also highlighted the challenges posed by court-issued stay orders.
Baig clarified that PEMRA’s role was to oversee the industry, and the Council of Complaints served as the forum to address viewer grievances. He mentioned that an amendment to the PEMRA Act would be presented in the upcoming National Assembly session to strengthen the Authority, receiving assurance of support from committee members.
Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, Sohail Ali Khan, informed the committee that the proposed bill had undergone thorough consultation with stakeholders. During discussions on “The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2023,” it was revealed that the legislation had already been passed, with only two sections proposed for amendment.
Regarding the “Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Books Registration (Amendment) Bill 2023,” officials stated that only a few procedural changes were being made.
The meeting was attended by members of the National Assembly, including Aasiya Azim, Naz Baloch, Nasir Khan Musazai, Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, Kiran Imran Dar, and Zeb Jafar.
