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Pemra serves warning to Hum TV, ARY and Geo over airing 'indecent content'

Without giving specifics, regulatory authority said content was against "socio-cultural norms and values of the country"

Images Staff

16 Aug, 2017

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on Tuesday served warning notices to Geo Entertainment, ARY Communications and Hum TV for airing "indecent content" on different occasions, saying in case of repeated violations, action will be taken against them under relevant Pemra laws.

The notice stated Pemra had sought an explanation from ARY Communications, the sole landing rights owner of HBO (Home Box Office), for airing "indecent content" on April 10.

Upon reviewing the channel's response, the authority found the broadcast was against "provisions of the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015 as well as socio-cultural norms and values of the country".

The authority did not share the details of the content neither did it provide the specifics of the violation.

Apart from issuing a notice to ARY Communications, Pemra also served a warning to Geo Entertainment with similar reservations over an episode of drama serial that aired on August 7. A Pemra official on condition of anonymity revealed that the said drama serial was Khali Haath.

Hum TV was also served a warning over the content of the May 21 episode of a drama serial, which the Pemra official revealed to be Kitni Girhain Baaki Hain.

Comments

waleed fakhar Aug 16, 2017 01:36pm

Ban these vulgar programs.

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Thoroughthinker Aug 16, 2017 01:44pm

Useless warnings of the toothless PEMRA.

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CK Aug 16, 2017 01:46pm

What is indecent in Pakistan must be laughable ...curious to know the details !!!!!

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Adarsh Aug 16, 2017 02:26pm

Media must be fully liberal to show what it considers appropriate. Pakistani media is vibrant and no one should apply any undue restriction.

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KT Aug 16, 2017 02:52pm

For airing vulgar content start different channels Such content should not be exhibited on family channels where senior elders and children watch the channels with parents.

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asad Aug 16, 2017 02:59pm

Shame of obscene media and producers, heavily fine the operators and owners of media houses.

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Sameer Aug 16, 2017 03:02pm

PEMRA making one sided decisions once again. Should have been notices to all three.

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Shahid Aug 16, 2017 03:17pm

Much awaited warning.. Its still not too late. TV Serial producers should promote ethics and Pakistani cultural norms instead of copying Bolly or Holly.

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Hyder Aug 16, 2017 03:20pm

Sir The Pakistani dramas used to be an example of decency, strong script, social message backed by great acting. However their storylines have become copycats of Indian tv plays and soaps with plenty of indecent storyline and vulgarities. Keep up the good work PEMRA. Thanks

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SPINOZA Aug 16, 2017 03:20pm

To all of those favouring censorship or ban on such programmes, there is a button on the remote control which could Change the channel, use it. If you are not satisfied with this solution use parental control. As for children and Elders getting 'Kharaab', there is plenty to go around on internet via computers and mobile phones.

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Kamran Aug 16, 2017 03:22pm

such actions by the PEMRA not any means for Jaint GEO and ARY

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Fatima Aug 16, 2017 04:11pm

Glad that pemra has woke up frim the slumber

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Sana Aug 16, 2017 04:19pm

Our media producers just cannot think of any thing original like Aangan terha, Waris, Dhuan, Rahen and instead rely upon glitz and glamour, wrongly calling the indecent programming as public demand. It is their lack of creativity.

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Kashif Bhai Aug 16, 2017 04:20pm

Govt should ban these vulgar drama on air TV, however for interested Audience these shall be available on websites and video channel. We must not snatch bread from Artists....

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monier Aug 16, 2017 04:30pm

Pakistan must put pay TV as an option for channels that are considered inappropriate while regulate the TV channels abusing the air time

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An outsider Aug 16, 2017 04:35pm

If somebody seen them can they tell us What exactly was aired in these two episodes? Just trying to work out what PEMRA considers obscene

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mohammad H Khan Aug 16, 2017 04:40pm

the term indecent is relative what is decent is indecent and what is decent in some societies...

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Iftikhar Khan Aug 16, 2017 05:48pm

When they say vulgar and against our socio culture norm and values ....they probably are talking about political talk shows:)

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Moin Kamal Aug 16, 2017 05:52pm

I have been watching Khalli Haath and I did not find anything with moral standards . Wake up PEMRA and see what is going on political arena not petty things.

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anjum Aug 16, 2017 06:23pm

Can someone ban PEMRA, please ?

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Sajawal Khan Aug 16, 2017 08:14pm

One thing I do not understand in recent Pakistani Dramas - Why someone's wife is having an affair with someone's husband and vice versa.

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Carol Lee Murphy Aug 16, 2017 11:03pm

This is a satisfactory response to the media involved, i wonder if a private meeting should have been involved, costly production has taken place. but then were the producers knowingly going to far, just pushing it to see if it will make it through to the public. Some movies in the west, go too far and really it goes beyond enjoyment,it goes to the point of harming values. particularly in young people. Its all good here it shows its all beyond money and profit,that good content comes first.

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Pemra Aug 17, 2017 04:05am

@SPINOZA you also have a thing called thumb or fingers use them and scroll up the comments you don't like commenters are not forcing you to read their comments.

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Akil Akhtar Aug 17, 2017 04:43am

PEMRA should also Ban indian content...

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AAhmed Aug 17, 2017 05:44am

@CK Husband slapping his wife and condoning this violence by the family even the victim. Do not say here that it happens in Pakistan, rape occurs in the US every three hours, but it is a crime to show or condone such an act even to a most notorious person.

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UMER Aug 17, 2017 06:07am

@Sajawal Khan bECAUSE IT HAPPENS IN REALITY.

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Ayesha Aug 17, 2017 10:10am

@SPINOZA You argued about changing chanel or whatsoever but the content being showed depicts our culture and norms. This world see what goes around. You tell me why were there 'item songs' in some of our movies which have been produced lately. I consider them unnecessary. This isn't our culture. However, they're implies as our culture and traditions. We should promote modesty. Parental control is also important and I'm well aware we do every damn single thing that isn't modest or inappropriate but the majority doesn't need inappropriate things. Excellent jobs can be done keeping in mind the modesty.

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Yousuf Ibnul Hasan Aug 17, 2017 10:20am

Vulgarity is not the only problem on private entertainment channels, other many offences and indecent programs are been produced and telecasted by news programs and in this line, ARY News is the leading that starts Blame Game, Abusive and illegal authoritative remarks are been delivered that not only waste of time but also now these programmes that are focused on specific political parties and politicians are hampering the heads of the viewers. It seems that every anchor or the journalist presenting these programs are paid to do so. PEMRA is just a HIS MASTER VOICE that put such warnings to prove its existence and nothing else. ARY Digitel, Geo Entertainment and HUM Entertainments are in otherwords offering what brothel houses do in the beginning of the night, that display of female flesh for consumers to chose it or if cannot afford to get the brain satisfaction. News channels blackmailing, entertainment channels promoting vulgarity, making the nation, a mentally sick nation.

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InDoaryan Aug 17, 2017 10:33am

Best to nip there valgar shows in the bud because once these allowed to become popular these is no stopping. I am sure people do these things behind closed doors but how qurious once aired becomes an offence.

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Ali Aug 18, 2017 12:00am

Keep it up PEMRA. you are doing well. Remove all the bad imaged of Pakistani culture shown by irrelevant clothings of our culture and showing close up scenes. Life is more than a romance and such stupidity.

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Qayum Baig Aug 18, 2017 01:58pm

@Sajawal Khan It called reality dear! For your eyes that look through rose tinted glasses, it happens in the real world. HUM TV is doing a great job of high lighting issues that we in the Asian community brush under the carpet or pretend that it does not happen. PREMA should focus on more real issues. What about all the cable channels that run in PK that show naked bodies from US and European channels!

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