PEMRA new rules for TV coverage stop satellite channels from broadcasting, rebroadcasting or airing live coverage of terrorist attacks and other loosely labelled “unfortunate” or “unpleasant” incidents.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)—the body that licenses and polices private TV—sent the order to all satellite television channels on 13 October. The banned categories named in the directive include explosions, blasts, shootings and terrorist attacks. Channels that ignore the order were warned they could face legal action.
What channels must do under the order
Under the directive, broadcasters may put on air only information that has been verified by the relevant government departments or law enforcement agencies. They must also use time delays and maintain independent editorial boards, according to the same instruction.
PEMRA links the step to earlier concerns that live, unchecked reporting during militant attacks can spread unverified or speculative claims. The latest text restates limits first issued in February 2023 on that basis.
Press-freedom group urges a pullback
The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based press-freedom group, on 16 October urged Pakistani authorities to withdraw what it called sweeping restrictions. Waliullah Rahmani, CPJ’s Afghanistan and Pakistan representative, said blocking independent reporting of major security incidents and requiring reliance on state-authorised information risks turning safety safeguards into official information control and censorship. He said authorities should let newsrooms make responsible editorial choices without fear of regulatory retaliation.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting did not respond to CPJ’s emailed request for comment.
Wider media controls in the background
In August, the same ministry issued guidelines requiring foreign journalists and their associates in Pakistan, and people working with international media, to register with the ministry and obtain a certificate before reporting assignments outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
CPJ noted that the latest PEMRA new rules for TV coverage come amid heightened political-security instability, including the imposition of emergency rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- February 2023: PEMRA first issues restrictions on television channels, saying they aired unverified and speculative information during militant attacks.
- August 2026: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting requires foreign journalists, their associates, and those working with international media to register and get a certificate before reporting outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.
- 13 October 2026: PEMRA orders satellite channels not to broadcast, rebroadcast or air live coverage of “unfortunate” or “unpleasant” incidents, including explosions, blasts, shootings and terrorist attacks, and to use verified official information, time delays and independent editorial boards.
- 16 October 2026: CPJ calls for the restrictions to be rescinded; the ministry does not reply to CPJ’s comment request.
Aasan alfaaz mein
PEMRA ne TV channels ko order diya hai ke blast, firing ya attack ki live coverage na chalayein. Ab news sirf us waqt on air ho sakti hai jab sarkari ya police verify kar dein. Channels ko delay bhi rakhna hoga, warna legal action ho sakta hai. Iska matlab yeh hai ke aap TV par foran live scene kam dekhenge aur zyada official bayan sunenge.
