Pemra seeks Council of Islamic Ideology's guidance on Geo News' suspension

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has written to the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) seeking “guidance” on whether Geo News’ response to the recent suspension is adequate or requires further action, it emerged on Thursday.

On June 28, Pemra suspended with “immediate effect” Geo News’ licence for 15 days over airing a special transmission that the body said was “liable to hurt the religious sentiments of viewers”. Geo News has acknowledged its mistake in airing the transmission broadcast on Muharram 10 and has also taken action against two employees.

The letter, dated July 1, and addressed to the CII chairman, Pemra requested guidance on the matter, with Council of Complaints (CoC) Chairperson Lubna Zaheer stating, “The CII is requested to guide whether the suspension order already passed and the public apology as well as actions so far rendered by Geo News constitute an adequate response and if not, to what extent any further action may be warranted in light of Islamic teachings and injunctions”.

It further requested that the guidance be given in the next seven days — up to July 8.

The letter said that Pemra ordered the suspension of Geo News’ license for a period of 15 days and directed that the channel’s transmission be suspended on satellite and across all distribution networks during this period. In further action, Pemra also referred the matter to the CoC to decide whether any further regulatory action was required.

“The CoC is to submuit its appropriate recommendations to the authority as to whether the suspension of the channel for fifteen days and the apology as well as actions so far rendered by Geo News are sufficient in relation to the airing of the aforesaid content, or whether any further regulatory, disciplinary or penal action is warranted under the Pemra Ordinance, 2002, the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder, the Code of Conduct, 2015, and all other enabling provisions of law,” the letter said.

Geo apologises for ‘mistake’

On June 28, Geo News in a statement, acknowledged its mistake in airing the transmission broadcast on Muharram 10:

“This content depicted certain rituals adopted by a limited number of people in Iraq and some other Middle Eastern countries. The content merely reflected these local rituals, and its purpose was not to represent, endorse, or promote any broader religious point of view.

This content was neither produced by Geo News nor was its broadcast carried out with any intention or purpose.

We wish to clarify that Geo News remains firmly committed to its policy of respecting the widely accepted beliefs and sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah. The inclusion of such content does not reflect our editorial position or the ideology of the organisation.

The relevant content was removed immediately, and the organisation promptly took action against the individuals involved.

Clarifications and an apology had been broadcast before the public response to the statement.

We express regret for any distress caused and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest standards of religious respect.”

The channel also expressed regret that the material in question was broadcast.

“The incident was completely unintentional. This was a grave editorial error. It was neither deliberate nor reflective of Geo News’ editorial values or institutional beliefs […] We identified and corrected the mistake ourselves,” it said, adding that show-cause notices were issued to the reporter and the members of the editorial committee responsible for the “lapse”.

“A formal inquiry was initiated, and strict disciplinary action is being taken in accordance with our internal policies,” it added.