According to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, such reporting creates fear among domestic and foreign viewers.
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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned its news channels from covering the terrorist attack. A media report from there states that this new directive comes after an earlier order to TV channels to follow the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015. PEMRA has said in its statement that the channel violates journalistic ethics by playing live pictures and videos of the crime scene.
“It is a matter of grave concern that despite repeated directions, satellite TV channels are unable to comply with the provisions of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct, 2015,” the notification said. PEMRA justified the decision to ban coverage of terrorist attacks, saying news channels resort to marathon telecasts, ignoring basic journalistic norms and ethics, just to take the lead and take credit for being the first to show the news.
PEMRA made this big allegation on the channels
In its order, PEMRA said, the satellite TV channels and their employees are not only found irresponsible with regard to their own security, but also create hurdles in relief and rescue operations. In such a situation the information shared on news channels is unverified and based on guesswork without consulting security agencies on the spot.
‘Terrorists are getting a big platform for their propaganda’
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority also said in its order that such reporting creates fear among domestic and foreign audiences. According to PEMRA, reporting of such incidents is giving terrorists a big platform for their propaganda. Furthermore, media coverage of such incidents gives terrorists an organizational advantage by allowing a specific group to showcase their strength and audacity in comparison to their rivals.
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