ISLAMABAD: There should be a media boycott of “hate mongers, perpetrators and their facilitators”, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) said in its recent directive to television channels, advising them to remain “vigilant” and not give airtime to such people. Issued on Wednesday, the Pemra notification stated that while the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of expression, there are exceptions to this right. On this day, the notification stated, “zealots of [a] political party” attacked state and public properties, endangered innocent lives, and promoted anti-state to weaken the country and state institutions, adding that caution must be exercised in this regard. Planners and perpetrators of hateful violence should not be promoted on television, and violent, discriminatory content not should be broadcast, the regulator stated. “No licensee shall broadcast any live programme unless there is an effective delaying mechanism put in place in order to ensure effective monitoring and editorial control in conformity with this Code.”
