The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to intensify its oversight of the electronic media sector. During a meeting held Tuesday at PEMRA headquarters, the committee also requested that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tie the clearance of government dues owed to media outlets to the timely payment of staff salaries.
Regulatory Oversight and Salary Enforcement
Under the chairmanship of Pullain Baloch, MNA, the committee reviewed the performance of PEMRA and its various Councils of Complaints. The briefing highlighted that 2023 parliamentary amendments to the PEMRA Act significantly expanded the regulator’s authority. These changes specifically empower PEMRA to intervene in disputes regarding the non-payment of salaries to electronic media workers.
The committee’s directive aims to utilize these existing legal powers to protect media employees. By linking the release of media outlet dues to payroll compliance, the committee intends to create a direct financial mechanism to address the recurring issue of unpaid wages in the industry.
Did You Know?
Parliamentary amendments enacted in 2023 granted PEMRA the legal mandate to hear and resolve complaints specifically related to the non-payment of salaries within the electronic media sector.
Operational Status of Complaint Councils
The committee received updates on the status of the Councils of Complaints, which are tasked with deciding on grievances and recommending punitive or corrective measures to the PEMRA Authority. Currently, the councils for Islamabad and Balochistan have been officially notified.
Regarding the establishment of additional provincial bodies, officials reported that summaries for the constitution of Councils of Complaints in Punjab and Sindh have been submitted. These remain pending, awaiting final approval from the competent authority. Once functional, these councils are expected to handle a backlog of pending complaints alongside new submissions.
Broadcasting Standards and Code of Conduct
Beyond employment issues, the committee emphasized the enforcement of the code of conduct for television dramas and advertisements. Members insisted that all broadcasts must strictly align with the country’s social and religious norms. The committee called for more rigorous implementation of these standards by the regulator to ensure content compliance.
The meeting included Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, along with a broad contingent of committee members, including Saad Waseem, Nadeem Abbas, Asia Naz Tanoli, Romina Khurshid Alam, Kiran Haider, Shaheen, Sehar Kamran, Syed Amin Ul Haque, Rana Ansar, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, and Kiran Imran Dar. Representatives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and PEMRA were also present to provide the required briefings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary role of the Councils of Complaints?
The councils are empowered to adjudicate complaints lodged by the public and recommend that the PEMRA Authority take punitive, corrective, or other appropriate measures.
How does the Ministry plan to ensure media workers are paid on time?
The committee has asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to link the clearance of outstanding dues owed to media outlets with the requirement that those organizations pay their employees on time.
Which provincial Councils of Complaints are currently active?
According to the briefing, only the councils for Islamabad and Balochistan have been notified. Councils for Punjab and Sindh are currently awaiting approval from the competent authority.
How might these new regulatory measures influence the relationship between media houses and the government moving forward?