PEMRA fines 13 Pak channels for falsely airing news of Imran Khan's third |marriag

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a fine of Rs. 0.5 million on 13 private television channels for airing what it called "fabricated news" concerning Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan's third marriage.

The punitive measure was announced by PEMRA on Saturday despite the PTI withdrawing its complaint.

PEMRA, according to an Express Tribune report, directed all 13 television channels to tender an unconditional apology for airing the false news. These channels were also warned that if they failed to comply with the order, they risked losing their licences.

PEMRA, according to the daily, maintained that the decision to impose the fine was aimed at 'upholding the standards of journalism'.

It may be recalled that PTI Head of Central Media Department Iftikhar Durrani had lodged a complaint against the channels on July 13, but the party withdrew its complaint against all the channels, except Dunya TV, on August 26.

The head of PEMRA Complaints Council in Islamabad, Shamim Hamayon, chaired the meeting, which was attended by its members Professor Dr. Maqsood Jafri, Dr. Shahjahan Syed, Haroon Rashid, Nuzhat Fatima and Mohammad Farooq.