Pakistan’s Broadcasting Landscape Faces Major Challenges

From Muhammad Afiq Mohd Asri

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Pakistan’s broadcasting industry continues to grapple with significant challenges, particularly the spread of fake news, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation.

Executive director-general of Operations Broadcast Media at the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Muhammad Tahir, said that broadcasters must prioritise accuracy and verification before airing any information to the public to effectively counter these issues.

While broadcasters in Pakistan enjoy considerable freedom, Muhammad said the broadcasters are still bound by journalistic ethics, requiring them to provide fair coverage and comply with established codes of conduct.

“We emphasise that all news or information aired must be thoroughly verified. If sensitive topics are discussed, all relevant parties must be given an opportunity to present their views.

“Pakistan’s Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, but certain restrictions exist to safeguard national sovereignty and security, similar to regulations in many other countries,” he told Bernama recently, during the ASEAN-Pakistan Media/Journalist Exchange Programme here.

Muhammad noted that Pakistan currently has 142 satellite television channels, including 40 dedicated to news and current affairs, reflecting the country’s rapidly expanding media landscape.

He added that PEMRA adopts a self-regulatory approach, encouraging broadcasters to evaluate their content before it goes on air.

“PEMRA is not a reactionary body. We urge licence holders to ensure compliance with the code of conduct through their internal committees.

“For content disputes, PEMRA follows a structured complaint process, allowing both complainants and broadcasters the opportunity to present their arguments before a decision is made,” he said.

He added that PEMRA ensures a fair hearing process before taking any action, reinforcing transparency and accountability within the media industry.

“As Pakistan’s media sector continues to grow, the key challenge remains striking a balance between press freedom and ethical journalism,” he said.

The ASEAN-Pakistan Media Exchange Programme, held from Feb 17 to 22, was organised by Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with support from the ASEAN Secretariat.

The initiative brought together 23 journalists from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to foster media collaboration and strengthen regional ties.

-- BERNAMA