NA standing committee members question role of PEMRA

ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information has told National Assembly’s standing committee that a committee has been constituted for media code of ethics, however, media should prepare their own code of conduct.

Committee member Talal Chaudhry said that other television channels think that if the largest news channel of the country, Geo News, was taken off-air then they would get more business.

National Assembly’s standing committee on information and broadcasting met here with Marvi Memon in the chair. The members exchanged their views over matters pertaining to Geo/Jang Group.

Secretary information told the meeting that a fact finding report has been prepared about Geo News. He said that the committee has been formed to make code of ethics for media, however, he added that if the media prepare their own code of conduct then it would be a better thing to do.

MQM’s member National Assembly Waseem Akhtar said that various things should be banned over the issues pertaining to national security.

PML-N’s Talal Chaudhry was of the view that talking against one institution for eight hours was inappropriate, however, he questioned as to what other channels are doing for the past 18 days.

He also questioned the role of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), saying that news channels are not judges which may declare any other channel a traitor.

JUI-F MNA Naima Kishwar said that all channels are pulling legs of one channel. She said that Geo News is taken off-air in various areas while it is put on a number far behind in other areas.

She asked as to why PEMRA does not look into this matter.