Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday assured journalists that court reporting would not be banned, but that court reporting was “irresponsible”.
The court’s statement came while hearing a petition challenging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) ban on broadcasting court proceedings on news channels.
Hearing a petition filed by the Press Association and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), IHC Chief Justice Adalat Farooq said, “Reporting in the court is not prohibited. The media can report the proceedings.”
However, the chief justice said the ban was based on “irresponsible reporting”.
During the hearing of the petition, Pemra sent a reply to the court.
Meanwhile, the additional attorney general questioned whether the federal government was involved in the matter. “It’s a Pemra problem, not the federal government,” he said.
The petitioner’s counsel, Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, said that the law used by Pemra does not prohibit the reporting of pending cases.
The court called for the postponement of final arguments in the next hearing until June 11.
The IHC issued the notice on May 24 after hearing a lawsuit challenging the notification of Pemra and the secretary which barred broadcasters from broadcasting news about court proceedings and only report on written orders.
It came after the media watchdog issued two notices ordering TV stations not to report on the case and journalists to only report on the court’s written order on May 21.
According to Pemra’s order, PFUJ moved the IHC against the supervisor’s decision and asked the IHC to cancel the press supervisor’s notice that prohibited the reporting of the case.
Ban Perra
In a May 21 notice, the media watchdog indicated that all licensed satellite news channels will not include comments, opinions or suggestions on the possible fate of such a lawsuit that seeks to undermine the court’s order. .
All Hemra TV license holders have been directed to ensure Pemra’s legal compliance by the Supreme Court in its Suo Moto Ruling No. 28 of 2018 (reported as PLD SC 1 of 2019).
News agencies have been warned of legal action in case of violations.
