Pakistan's media regulator, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), on Saturday upheld the 15-day suspension of leading news channel Geo News and imposed a fine of Rs10 million ($35,800). The regulator also ordered the broadcaster to dismiss employees responsible for a controversial Muharram transmission that authorities said contained religiously sensitive content.
Background of the Suspension
PEMRA suspended Geo News on June 27 after a special Muharram program aired a day earlier. The regulator stated that the transmission included “religious visualization” capable of hurting people’s sentiments, undermining religious harmony and disturbing public order. The channel subsequently issued an unconditional public apology, dismissed employees involved in producing the program and introduced additional editorial safeguards.
PEMRA's Final Decision
“The Order dated 27 June 2026 suspending the license of Geo News for fifteen (15) days is affirmed,” PEMRA said in its decision. “A fine of Rupees Ten Million (Rs. 10,000,000) is imposed upon the licensee,” it added. “Transmission may resume only upon completion of the suspension period and payment of the fine.”
The regulator said it had taken into account the broadcaster’s admission of negligence, expression of remorse and unconditional public apology but concluded that those factors, while mitigating, did not erase the violation or its legal consequences.
Employee Dismissals and Future Restrictions
PEMRA directed Geo News to terminate those responsible for the broadcast, adding that individuals dismissed over the violation would, subject to applicable law, be ineligible for future employment, engagement or association with any service licensed or regulated by the authority. The regulator further ordered the broadcaster to submit an affidavit confirming compliance with its directions and warned that any repeat violation could result in enhanced penalties, suspension or revocation of its license.
New Editorial Requirements for All Broadcasters
The decision also instructed all licensed broadcasters to establish impartial in-house monitoring committees or editorial boards, notify the regulator of their composition and ensure prior editorial scrutiny of every broadcast. This measure aims to prevent future incidents of sensitive content being aired without proper review.
Geo News Response
Geo News said the material broadcast during the Muharram transmission had been aired in error and depicted rituals practiced by some people in Iraq and the Middle East rather than endorsing any particular religious belief. The channel had already taken corrective actions prior to the final decision, including issuing an apology and dismissing staff.
