PEMRA’s greed

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) which oversees the operation of TV cable operators and private radio stations – has no other function other than to harass legitimate TV cable operators and radio stations. It claims to maintain standards of morality and quality – but those standards are subject to change. Ever since the local cinema industry collapsed, the Censor Board as a single organisation has practically ceased to exist. Everyone who is in a position of power can clamp down not only on the electronic media but also on newspapers and other publications, whenever he wishes.

The recent banning of certain TV channels, which the legitimate TV cable operators have paid the subscription for showing have been banned. Over 40 channels cannot be shown. These legitimate TV cable operators are saying that PEMRA’s decision was based on the fact that the owners of private TV channels did not want foreign TV channels to be shown – because they could not compete against them.

The only way this could have been done is that the members of PEMRA were heavily bribed including several military officers and civil servants. Corruption is overwhelming and anyone can be bribed. PEMRA’s recent decision to ban formerly approved channels is a crime in itself and the members of PEMRA should be taken to court for violating an agreement with legitimate cable TV operators. Because they have paid the subscription for these channels. But PEMRA like our military is above the law. It can make or break any decision if they are bribed appropriately so it cannot be sued for making stupid and illegal decisions. The same applies to PTA and PTCL which has for all practical purposes plugged the Internet, hundreds of Internet websites cannot be accessed. It has slowed down the Internet and is discouraging new people from buying computers since access to the Internet is extremely limited.