PEMRA Act is a violation of general human rights

Lets discuss the clauses of New Pemra Act and see how they violate the general human rights of Pakistani Citizens. The new Pemra Act as amended reads;

“5A. Restriction on publication of certain material. (1) No printer, publisher or editor shall print or publish in any book, periodical or paper any material which consists of,-

(a) Photographs or pictures of suicide bombers, terrorists (except as required by law enforcing agencies for purposes of investigation), bodies of victims of terrorist activities, statements and pronouncements of militants and extremist elements and any other thing which may, in any way, promote, aid or abet terrorist activities or terrorism:

In free society, it’s the responsibility of the Citizens of the state to distinguish between right and wrong. Showing pictures of terrorists or broadcasting their messages does not at all promote terrorist activities. Pakistani citizens are responsible individuals; they can listen to the messages of terrorists and still be loyal Pakistanis. Lets see this is light of foreign media, India shows messages of Kashmir Freedom Fighters including Syed Gilani and other leaders of the Huriyat. Many Indians will call them terrorists or nationalists, however media is not banning them from appearing on TV. In USA, even the most conservative network FOX NEWS, show messages of Ossama Bin Laden and other known terrorists as they appear and they show them over and over again. Pakistani government should focus on dealing with the terrorists instead of worrying about their messages broadcasted on the Media.

(b) graphic or printed representation or projection of statements, comments, observations or pronouncement based on sectarianism, ethnicism or racialism;

Again, in free society if Pakistani Citizens or sector of Pakistani Citizens has opinions of ethnicism, Media should by all means show this to Pakistanis. If Baluchis have some complaints against the Federal Government or they feel neglected by the policies of Pakistani Government, their voice should be broadcasted in the Media. Due to the same policies, we lost East Pakistan in 1971 and unfortunately after thirty years or so, we learnt nothing from it. BANNING THE MEDIA FROM BRADCASTING WILL NOT STOP ETHINICITY.

(c) any material, printed or graphic, that defames, brings into ridicule or disrepute the Head of State, or members of the Armed Forces or executive, judicial or legislative organs of the State.

What is the meaning of not defaming the Head of the State, Legislature, Executives and members of the Parliament? There is none provided in the ordinance. Even though government is saying that they will welcome "Positive Criticism", its hard to draw a line between Positive Criticism and Defaming. Government can easily blame any channel of defaming and press charges as per their won definition, even though it was just a criticism.

We are in 21st century, and out politicians are still living in 14th or may be 11th. They are unaware of international media policies or they have their eyes totally shut. They claim that they came up with this ordinance in light of ordinances in USA, INDIA and Europe. This is totally not true, have they not seen programs on USA channels like "Lil Bush", "Real Time with Bill Maher", "Lou Dobbs" etc, they criticize and defame the government, head of the state and even their Armed Forces. It does not mean they don’t love them, they show what is happening and what people like and what can give them ratings. That’s what the responsibility of Media is. Media's responsibility is not to give fame to ruling party and Head of the State. Isn’t Government Channel (PTV) already doing enough of that?

As far as Armed Forces of Pakistan are concerned, why cant we defame them. If they are killing Pakistani Citizens, if they are bombing innocent civilians, if they are violating the constitution of Pakistan, if they are beating the innocent civilians, we have all the right to defame and blame them for their actions. Its enough of Armed Forces, we have given them enough respect in these sixty years, they have lost almost all wars, took most of our budget and all they have given us is Dictator over Dictator. So why keep Armed Forces on highest regard, they can’t beat the terrorists, they can’t provide security from international interference, they cant help the government to provide basic simple human rights to Pakistanis so what kind of fame they accept from us. Entire Nation should ponder upon this. No institution in Pakistan is over criticism.

(d) any material that is likely jeopardize or be prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan;

What is the ideology of Pakistan? Who will define what material is against the ideology of Pakistan; In free society each citizen is obliged to have his own ideology of the Country which may differ from the other Citizen.

I welcome your comments on this, if you agree with me, lets all fight against this unacceptable and brutal PREMA ordinance. Please put pressure by emailing PEMRA chairman at chairman@pemra.gov.pk. You can email me at moon116@gmail.com.