Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) has slapped a fine of Rs. 1 million on Geo News for airing “highly seditious and scandalous” content against National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chief Javed Iqbal.
The personal hearing committee of the media watchdog imposed the penalty after hearing the channel’s stance on the allegation.
The channel was charged with violation of the “Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015.”
According to the PEMRA notification, the fine is payable within 30 days.
PEMRA also directed the news channel to form an in-house editorial committee to comply with the authority’s guidelines.
“In case of non-compliance and repeated violations, strict action would be taken including suspension of the license conferred to the TV channel,” it added.
The media regulatory authority had swung into action after the program “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada kay Saath” discussed the infamous video of NAB chief on July 18, unilaterally without taking his comment.
Consequently, the channel was served a show-cause notice, and their representatives could not satisfy the hearing committee with their response. They were found guilty of airing one-sided, mala fide intentions.