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ISLAMABAD: In its first ever reaction over Pemra’s decision to suspend Geo News for 15 days, the Ministry of Defence said Saturday that it is not satisfied with the penalty awarded after the private TV channel was declared guilty of misconduct.
In a formal complaint filed late April, the defence ministry had sought revocation of the private news channel’s licence and prosecution of its editorial and management teams under regulatory laws for electronic media for allegedly bringing premier spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence into disrepute and harming national interest.
On Friday, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) suspended the licence of Geo News for 15 days and fined it Rs10 million to be paid before the expiry of the suspension period. It said the suspension period may be extended if the fine is not paid, and that proceedings for the revocation of Geo News’ licence shall be initiated in case the licensee persists in its violations. But the defense ministry appears to be seeking a harsher punishment for the private media group.
“We reserve the right to take it up the matter at the next appellate level for enhancement of punishment awarded to Geo,” Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said in an official statement today.
DAWN.COM
In a formal complaint filed late April, the defence ministry had sought revocation of the private news channel’s licence and prosecution of its editorial and management teams under regulatory laws for electronic media for allegedly bringing premier spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence into disrepute and harming national interest.
On Friday, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) suspended the licence of Geo News for 15 days and fined it Rs10 million to be paid before the expiry of the suspension period. It said the suspension period may be extended if the fine is not paid, and that proceedings for the revocation of Geo News’ licence shall be initiated in case the licensee persists in its violations. But the defense ministry appears to be seeking a harsher punishment for the private media group.
“We reserve the right to take it up the matter at the next appellate level for enhancement of punishment awarded to Geo,” Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said in an official statement today.
DAWN.COM
