JournalismPakistan.com
January 29, 2016

ISLAMABAD - The electronic media's regulatory body Friday approved a fine of Rs1 million on Samaa Television for airing a vulgar text message during a crime re-enactment program last summer.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) while approving the fine also ordered the channel to air a public apology and run tickers between 6pm and 12 midnight repeatedly. The program 'Wardaat' aired on July 22 featured reconstruction of a crime that involved a boy sending an 'extremely vulgar' text message to a girl. PEMRA said the message upset viewers and the authority faced a public backlash.

It pointed out the dramatization and the words used were not only against cultural, social and religious values, they also violated PEMRA laws and Code of Conduct.

PEMRA's Council of Complaints, Sindh that met earlier this month had recommended the fine.

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