JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 02, 2014 | Daud Malik
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday told the National Assembly that some advertisements on private TV channels are obscene.
“It is a fact that some of the advertisements aired on private satellite TV channels are obscene,” Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid told the lower house while replying to a question by MQM’s Sheikh Salahuddin.
During the question hour, the legislator asked the minister about obscene advertisements telecast by various channels and what steps the ministry of information was taking to control the trend.
The minister also gave a list of advertisements considered indecent and vulgar. These included Q Mobile, Veet (hair removing cream), Josh (condoms), Sathi (condoms), Molty Foam, Lux Soap, Diamond Supreme Foam, illegal health-related products such as Power Prash, Sandhi Sudha etc. and Xtend.
The minister said PEMRA has taken notice of “such violations/unethical advertisements”, adding that the official media watchdog “has issued advices, warnings and notices to its licensees for refraining from airing such advertisements.”
In some instances, he said fines were also imposed on satellite TV channels for airing content “in contravention to PEMRA Code of Conduct”.
Moreover, he said Pakistan Broadcasting Association and Pakistan Advertising Society were taken on board in order to edit some advertisements which were deemed “obscene”. However, the minister also explained that PEMRA is not empowered to pre-censor the content of its licensees. “Under Section 20 of PEMRA Ordinance all the licensees are obliged to appoint In-House Monitoring Committees to ensure that no content is aired that violates the Code of Conduct.”
The minister added that after thorough consultations with all the stakeholders, including the general public, PEMRA had devised PEMRA (Content) Regulations 2012, which provided detailed provisions on obscenity and indecent content. But in January 2013, under a court decision these regulations were set aside on technical grounds. “Currently, the matter of Code of Conduct for electronic media and these regulations are under review of National Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage,” the minister said.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.