Media Landscape
Types of Regulations
Handout
Media Regulation
Definition of Regulation
Principles, rules and laws designed to control or govern the media conduct.
Regulatory Body
PEMRA- Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
The establishment of PEMRA was initiated in 2000 through the formation of the Regulatory Authority for Media Broadcast Organizations. The Information Ministry is responsible for the administration at PEMRA whereas all the financial dealings are taken care of by the organization itself.
PEMRA's Mandate:
· Improve the standards of information, education and entertainment ;
· Enlarge the choice available to the people of Pakistan in the media for news, current affairs, religious knowledge, art, culture, science, technology, economic development, social sector concerns, music, sports, drama and other subjects of public and national interest ;
· Facilitate the devolution of responsibility and power to the grass roots by improving the access of the people to mass media at the local and community level ;
· Ensure accountability, transparency and good governance by optimization the free flow of information.
Functions of PEMRA:
· Responsible for regulating the establishment and operation of all broadcast media for example granting licenses to FM radio, Cable TV, Landing rights given to foreign channels to broadcast in Pakistan.
· Council of Complaints (COC): Deals with immediate and fair redressal of complaints pertaining to operations of electronic media. The complaints are taken via telephone calls, posts.
· Licensing of cable operators and facilitates distribution of media
Operations at PEMRA:
PEMRA works in collaboration with
· Cable Operators Association (CAP)
· Pakistan Broadcasting Association (PBA)
- Satellite television
- Radio
Forms of Regulation:
Radio: Time delay machines are installed for radios where inappropriate content is censored.
Television: A specific percentage limit is assigned to foreign programmes and a check is maintained to monitor whether channels abide by these guidelines.
Legislations of PEMRA:
1- To promote local culture
2- Encourage diversity and variety
3- Uphold state Sovereignty
4- Abide by religious and social considerations
5- No vulgarity
6- Provide positive entertainment and educational programmes.
Constraints faced by PEMRA:
The government is a hindrance to the independence of the organization. Even though they proclaim PEMRA as the Regulatory Authority the employees are still bounded to comply by the government’s constant intervention with matters relating to operations and broadcasts.
Examples of issues with regard to regulation in Pakistan:
- Mathira: Audiences launched complaints against the VJ Mathira for the onscreen obscenity.
- Broadcasting of blood and gore on news channels.
- Sensationalism on news
- GEO Super broadcast without license
UNIONS
Definition of Unions:
A union is an organization of workers joined to protect their common interests and improve their working conditions.
Our focus is on:
-Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists
-PRESS CLUB
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ):
It is the Representative body of journalists all over Pakistan.
Objectives of PFUJ:
• Secure rights of journalists
• Raise the status and improve the qualification of journalists
• Unity of its members
• Defend, maintain and struggle for freedom of the Press
• Secure employment
PRESS CLUB:
Press Club is a Union where members interact with each other and indulge in activities when off the field. Members are primarily news journalists, but can also include academics, business people and members of the public service.
Role of Press Club:
“On the path of democracy and press freedom.”
A voice for democracy, to eliminate all forms of dictatorship.
Is the press dynamic or not?
Press club operates autonomously without any limitations or disruptions by external parties.
Press club is not accountable to anyone but itself.
Past of press club:
Earlier it dealt with only print media but now electronic media also comes under the Press Club.
Constraints:
Members of the Press club can be part of the Pakistan federal union of journalists (PFUJ) but members of PFUJ cannot be part of the press club.
Foreign Journalists and Press Club:
Journalists are encouraged to come from abroad, souvenirs and other perks may be provided to them. However, responsibility for their security is not in the hands of press club that is these journalists come on their own risk.
Who finances press club?
· Monthly membership fee of Rs.100
· The club raises money through events and press conferences held at Press Club
· The government also provides grants and funds
Transparency: dealings are corruption free as quoted by Mr. Moosa Kaleem-secretary Press Club.
References:
Interviews with:
Mr Moosa Kaleem/Secretary Press Club at Press Club
Mr Tufail Channa/Assistant General Manager at PEMRA
Group Members
Insiya Murtaza
Kanza Afzal
Maria Maniya
Musaid Raheel
Uswah Munawar
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