Pakistan channels fined Rs 1 million for 'indecent contents'

Islamabad: Pakistan's electronic media watchdog on Saturday imposed a fine of Rs one million each on two prominent TV channels including Geo News for showing "indecent contents".

Geo News and Hum TV were fined after they could not give satisfactory answers to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) about allegations of airing objectionable clips.

It imposed a fine of Rs one million on Geo News for its program 'Geo Pakistan' for allegedly airing indecent clips.

The channel was also ordered to keep the program off air for five days.

"Geo Pakistan is banned from broadcasting, rebroadcasting, fresh, old or repeat content on Geo News from 9 AM Monday April 3 till 12 AM April 7, 2017," PEMRA said.

Hum TV was punished for drama 'Chew Gum' which it aired last month and for which it was issued a notice on February 20, seeking an explanation within seven days.

"On account of the airing of the episode 'Chew Gum' in the drama serial 'Kitni Girhein Baqi Hein' having indecent content... a fine of Rs 10,00,000 (Rupees one million) is imposed on Hum TV, payable within three weeks from the issuance of this decision," PEMRA said.

It also asked media outlets that the selection of the theme of their dramas or soaps and other items should be made keeping in mind the provisions of the Electronic Media

(Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct 2015, socio-cultural norms and values of the country.