ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq assured journalists that there is no ban on court reporting, only on “irresponsible” court reporting. He clarified that the issue lies with sensational tickers.
These remarks from the Chief Justice Islamabad High Court came during the hearing of pleas challenging the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (Pemra) restrictions on airing court proceedings on news channels.
The petitions were filed by the Islamabad High Court Journalists Association, the Press Association of the Supreme Court, and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ).
During the hearing, the IHC Chief Justice stated that media can report court proceedings. The additional attorney general confirmed that the matter is under Pemra’s jurisdiction, not the federal government’s.
Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, representing one of the petitioners, argued that the law Pemra cited does not prohibit reporting on pending cases. Pemra also submitted its reply to the court.
The court scheduled final arguments for June 11. Earlier, on May 24, the IHC had issued notices to Pemra and the secretary of information after hearing petitions challenging Pemra’s notifications that prohibited TV channels from airing court proceedings and directed them to report only on written orders.
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Pemra’s May 21 notification directed satellite news channels not to air content that could prejudice court determinations and to refrain from airing tickers/headlines regarding court proceedings until a final order is made. Pemra also warned of legal action in case of violations.