In the hearing before the Council of Complaints (COC) regarding the suspension of Geo News by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), Advocate Saim Hashmi, on behalf of the broadcaster’s licensee company, placed on record the management’s unqualified admission of mistake and also offered an unconditional apology in that behalf.
In addition, Advocate Hashmi, accompanied by Advocate Arbaz Khan, also brought it to the Council’s attention as well as shared with them all the relevant documents to show that the management of Geo News, after a quick inquiry, has removed from employment the person responsible for making the documentary as well as the member of the Editorial Committee who approved it.
Lastly, Advocate Hashmi informed the Council that, in order to minimise the possibility of any such mistake taking place in the future, the management of Geo News has decided to make a respectable aalim (scholar) a part of its Editorial Committee who can keep an eye on sensitive religious content to be broadcast and can stop any mistake from taking place or being committed in the future.
The case refers to the hour-long religious travel documentary that aired on the 10th of Muharram. The documentary included 13 regrettable, sensitive seconds of visuals for which Geo stopped its repeat immediately and deleted the content from digital media before Pemra’s notification.
