DTH bidding process to be completed by October 2017

[Umair Malik]

Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Absar Alam has said the bidding process of Direct-to-Home satellite television service (DTH) would be completed by the end of October 2017 to provide greater and better quality coverage of satellite television channels to subscribers or end users.

During an informal interactive session with media here on Friday, Chairman Pemra said that with the introduction of the DTH, Pakistan will enter into the new generation. On October 31, 2016 bidding for DTH would be completed. "We have received a very encouraging response from the bidders of DTH project," according to him.

He said the maximum penalty on channels for violating the code of conduct is Rs 1 million which should be considerably enhanced to Rs 50 million. For this, an amendment in the law is required. During last year, fines up to Rs 135 million had been imposed on channels for violating Pemra laws, "but this money goes to the national kitty and not to Pemra account."

Chairman Pemra stressed upon effective implementation of the Code of Conduct for electronic media. The electronic media must show sense of responsibility as there is a need to restore the confidence of general public in the electronic media. When asked about the BOL issue, he said it is not directly linked to Pemra. It is in fact the responsibility of Ministry of Interior to give security clearance to the channel. The license of the said channel was cancelled due to absence of security clearance from Interior Ministry.

About creating awareness among stakeholders on Pemra laws, he said a big conference is being planned for all stakeholders. About applicability of Code of Conduct, he said, "I am constantly convening meetings with media houses/anchors to ensure strict enforcement of law without compromising freedom of information". As far as the issues of labour are concerned, the journalist community has to go to labour court for redressal of their complaints.

To a query, he said after completion of 15 years of grant of licences to channels, a grading system will be in place. In order to encourage new channels for kids, Pemra has taken the step by reducing fee for the channel being introduced for children. To a query, he said if any anchorperson of dual nationality talks against Pakistan, we would take against action against such anchors under the law. If the Pemra can hold powerful channels/anchors accountable, it would send a clear message to the entire community.

Criticising the role of anchors in electronic media, he regretted that non-journalists, even artists, are working as anchors. They are taking huge salaries but not playing any positive role in promoting good values among masses.

Referring to the latest real-time data, he said the viewership of news channels is sharply declining day by day. This decrease has been witnessed due to the trend of "breaking news" without confirming the same. The ratings of news channels are decreasing every day. Responding to a query on ban on any personality, he said that only Interior Ministry or courts can order ban on showing any individual on TV channels. He recalled that a law is available under which arrest can be made and imprisonment upto three years can be given, but Pemra does not intend to invoke such harsh law against media houses.

Chairman Pemra added that the size of advertisements market is of around Rs 35 to Rs 40 billion.