PEMRA's move to ban court reporting challenged in LHC

Lahore: The move of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ban the court reporting was challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Samra Malik Advocate challenged the notification of PEMRA in the Lahore High Court.

The petitioner said that the notification issued by PEMRA on May 21 is illegal and violative of Article-19 and 19-A of the Constitution.

The petition requested that the court declare PEMRA's notification null and void and suspend the notification till the final decision of the petition.

It is pertinent to note that yesterday, journalistic organisations had rejected the notification of ban on judicial reporting by PEMRA. Journalist organisations Press Association of Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court Journalists Association rejected PEMRA's notification of ban on court reporting saying that PEMRA termed the notification against freedom of press and independent judiciary.

The released declaration further stated that the Constitution of Pakistan provides the right to freedom of expression and access to information and PEMRA does not have the power to ban the reporting of judicial proceedings. The notification is in flagrant violation of Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution and demanded that the notification banning judicial reporting be withdrawn. They said that PEMRA would be challenged in court if it did not withdraw the notification.

Two days ago, the PEMRA had banned the running of news or tickers related to pending court cases.

The PEMRA statement said that all news, current affairs and regional language TV channels should refrain from running tickers and news regarding pending court cases and also not report news of court written orders.

In this regard, it was further stated that no material based on any kind of comments, opinions or suggestions and recommendations should be broadcast regarding the possible outcome of the cases under hearing in the court, or tribunal.

However, the statement said that in such cases, the hearing of which is broadcast live, TV channels can report them.