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PEMRA says Pakistani dramas are "bold" and "not depicting the true picture of our society"
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PEMRA says Pakistani dramas are "bold" and "not depicting the true picture of our society"

...and Twitter has something to say about it
Images Staff
04 Sep, 2018

PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) has issued a blanket statement advising all entertainment channels to produce drama content responsibly.

The statement, which was released Monday night says, "that the quality of Pakistani dramas is deteriorating everyday."

PEMRA's reason is that the themes in the dramas are "quite bold" and "not reflective of majority of the Pakistani society."

It further reads: "Viewers are of the opinion that dramas are not depicting the true picture of Pakistani society. Indecent scenes//dialogues/extramarital relations, violence and exploitation are being glamourised ignoringethical bindings of Pakistani society as well as PEMRA laws."

Also read: Child abuse drama Udaari gets PEMRA notice for 'immoral content' and that's the problem

But this is not the first time PEMRA has labelled entertainment content "immoral" and indecent". Child abuse drama Udaari also received a warning for 'objectionable' content, while Nickelodeon was fined Rs500,000 for "a cartoon character is indecently dressed" in a bikini on a beach.

Also read: PEMRA imposes Rs500,000 fine on Nickelodeon over this cartoon

Osman Khalid Butt, however, is having none of it.

He wrote: "What, pray tell, is the 'true picture of Pakistani society'? Not every drama serial is meant to be watched with the family. Pinky & Babloo can be put to bed before, no?"

He added, "Good television w/ strong content holds a mirror up to society, and is meant to be uncomfortable. If you don't like what you see, change the channel."

Others too have called out PEMRA for issuing an ignorant statement:

Comments

Omar Sep 04, 2018 12:24pm
I agree with PEMRA on this one. Most of these dramas nowadays are so far off from reality that they are beginning to loose the connectivity with most Pakistanis. Should try to address real daily and common issues in Pakistan. Also need to continue bringing in new actors/actresses and improving camera technology.
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Srinu Sep 04, 2018 12:25pm
No need to depict the correct picture...Purpose of ART is to depict/CHANGE society. Both
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Viju Sep 04, 2018 12:28pm
Highest pornographic movies seen in Pakistan....according to search engines
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Zulfiqar Sep 04, 2018 12:34pm
Pemra should be disbanded
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Irfan Sep 04, 2018 01:00pm
We need to look at a broader perspective. What is the purpose of portraying 'immoral content' in our dramas? Are we looking to highlight problems in order to rectify them? Simply increasing the viewer numbers and promoting business is not in line with the traditions of our country. We need to reflect on our collective responsibility and broadcast content that will bring about positive change and accountability in our country - just broadcasting bold content without meaning will not uphold our value norms. Life is short, stick to ethics and meaning.
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Tariq Awan Sep 04, 2018 01:22pm
So how come News channels are buzzing with child abuse and entertainment channel can't bring this topic under discussion? It is actually reflection of our society however we may not like to see this face of our own.
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Faisal Sep 04, 2018 01:43pm
I just have one word for PEMRA s Statment and that is idiotic
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Anthony Messina Jr. Sep 04, 2018 01:55pm
PEMRA says Pakistani dramas are "bold" and "not depicting the true picture of our society" = Are they allowed too, or do people prefer escapism and unreality? Was Star Wars reality? It was entertainment. Women want the kind of drama in their lives they don't have in real life.
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Shafiq Khan Sep 04, 2018 02:00pm
PERMA is lost and meaningless in a free society. We do not need a nanny to guide us . It is up to the people who and what they want to watch so far it is not breaking the conservative laws of the land. PERMA has one useful function: that is to make sure the owners of the Media are proper "persons" to hold the licence to do what they are doing. Period.
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asad Sep 04, 2018 02:09pm
Media is vulgar not just bold, lets be fair.
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Shehz Sep 04, 2018 02:27pm
They are dramas, like Geo and not BBC breaking news!!! One is supposed to watch them as a play.
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freedom of speech Sep 04, 2018 02:50pm
Please stop stealing Indian/foreign stuff and copy pasting it in Pakistan then defend it as Freedom of speech, there are some good dramas recently but the quality is declining rapidly.
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Ijaz Sep 04, 2018 02:52pm
So the moral police want dramas to reflect "the true nature of society". Is this their perception of what our true nature should be or actually is. I suspect if is the latter PEMRA would be in for a rather nasty shock!
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Omar N Sep 04, 2018 03:04pm
Pakistani and Indian media entertainment depicts the rich, white washed lifestyles that most of the audience can not afford or are used to. I think these outlets should be more bold and depict dramas and shows from a view point of what represents most of society. Also should have more personalities that are of darker skin because that is beautiful too.
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Javed Sep 04, 2018 03:10pm
Pakistani drama is supposed to grow and uplift Pakistani society, not hold it stagnant by depicting the status quo.
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Baig Sep 04, 2018 03:23pm
The quality of drama is going down.I remember watching an interview of Amjad Islam Amjad a couple of years ago in which he was criticizing the Pakistani drama industry and complained how the dramas are showing a dystopian image of Pakistani society where divorces, extramarital affairs, rapes are the norm and every character is portrayed as a pleasure seeking and selfish schemer. Could not agree more. The pull of attaching emotional appeal and taboo topics to the drama is too strong due to the ratings and money involved. These dramas are a far cry from the hey dey of our drama industry with hits like waris, dhoop kinaray, ankahi, tanhayian alpha bravo Charlie etc.
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iftikhar Sep 04, 2018 03:26pm
now tv shows / dramas want to make society to behave the way as in drama , they are guiding the society not reflecting the society.
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Lubna Sep 04, 2018 04:10pm
I donot know what exactly they want to banish , but dramas about domestic violence, child abuse must not be stopped. Thes dramas surely increase public awareness.
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MA Sep 04, 2018 05:04pm
Not bold, vulgur please.
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Sam Sep 04, 2018 05:44pm
I agree with PEMRA... I long for the days when dramas like Alpha Bravo Charlie, dhuwan, dhoop kinary, tanhayian etc. used to air... Pakistani media needs to up its game and provide solid entertainment with great scipts and commendable dialogue delivery. News channels are enough to show us the ills of the society.
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Trotsky Sep 04, 2018 06:20pm
Support PEMRA's decision. Our best dramas produced during the 90s e.g. dhoop kinare, alpha bravo charlie, etc contained no indecency or stories revolving around extramarital affairs. So why can't our current TV channels produce qualify family dramas without vulgarity?
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Shehzad Sep 04, 2018 08:45pm
viewers should be judge, not Pemra.
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GK Sep 04, 2018 09:08pm
Should impose fines, remove licenses if needed. Atleast PEMRA should issue pabandi
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Citizen Sep 04, 2018 11:15pm
PEMRA being regulator is doing its job but to control uncontrolled tv channels require tripple powerful PEMRA
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Javed Sep 04, 2018 11:36pm
Problem is we don’t want to solve the problems but love to see vulgar dramas and movies for entertainment and spoil more people by showing these types of entertainments and then defending these types of immorality through media whose only purpose is to make money not bring moral values to the society. Unfortunately showing these type of topics bring nothing but more vulgarity in our society, to solve these problems not just talk get up and do something about it. Speeches and vulgar entertainment is not the answer
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Ayyaz Sep 04, 2018 11:41pm
The media, in general, tries to mould the public opinion rather than trying to correct the ills of the society. Of course, there are ills in the society; but flashing the abuses and spicing things up is not the responsible approach. For example; what has the media done positively about this: https://www.dawn.com/news/1426078
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Ahmad Sep 05, 2018 01:07am
@asad that's not true
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Aamir Sep 05, 2018 01:53am
Naya Pakistan - Bringing Zia ul Haq's vision to life :)
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N abidai Sep 05, 2018 07:40am
Pemra members live in a cave! Just read some of the headlines, and stories about the polticians ! Child abuse, rape, murder, and curruption on the highest levels! The media has been less harsh on the realities of Pakistan ,then real news!
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Kashif Sep 05, 2018 08:35am
Seems like PEMRA is out of Coma now,....After watching current content of pakistani TV channels I can say... Current TV artist can do anything for money
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Sabir Sep 06, 2018 04:45pm
Every once in a while PEMRA has to issue a statement in media to make their self known to people that they exist too. The reality of pakostani society is much worst than what is being told in dramas.
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Akhtar Sep 07, 2018 11:43am
Udaari,baaghi and besharm were good dramas.but now a days very common and similar dramas are being produced by all TV channels. Some creative and realistic dramas should be produced which can b able to present our society issues and challenges.
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