The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority suspended Geo TV's license for 15 days and imposed a fine of approx. US$100,000, based on a complaint filed by the Ministry of Defence on April 22.
UPDATE from PPF: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority suspends licenses of Geo Entertainment, ARY News (24 June 2014)
On June 6, 2014, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) suspended Geo TV’s license for 15 days and imposed a fine of Rs10 million (approx. US$100,000), based on a complaint filed by the Ministry of Defence on April 22. The complaint accused Geo TV of airing unsubstantiated allegations against the chief of Pakistan’s military Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI).
The five-member PEMRA committee suspended the licenses of Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez TV, three of the five TV channels owned and operated by the Geo/Jang group.
According to a PEMRA press release, the fine has to be paid before the expiry of the suspension period. It was also decided that in case of a repeat violation by Geo TV, the regulatory agency shall initiate proceedings for the revocation of the license.
Earlier on May 20, PEMRA’s private members had announced their decision to suspend the licences of Geo News, Geo Entertainment and Geo Tez till May 28. However, the decision was disowned by a PEMRA spokesperson hours after the announcement. Geo News had already apologised for the airing of unsubstantiated allegations.
