ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) gave media the reassurance that court reporting was not prohibited, only “irresponsible” court reporting.
The court’s comments were made during the hearing of petitions contesting the limitations placed on the broadcast of court proceedings on news channels by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the IHC stated during the hearing of the pleas submitted by the Press Association and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ): “Courtes reporting is not prohibited. The court hearings can be covered by the media.”
But the chief justice insisted that “irresponsible reporting” is what is prohibited. According to Justice Farooq, “the only issue is with running sensational tickers.”
Pemra filed its reply in the court during the petition hearing.
In the meantime, the court inquired of the extra attorney general whether the federal government was involved in this case. “This is Pemra’s matter, not the federal government’s,” he replied.
Barrister Umer Ijaz Gilani, one of the petitioner’s attorneys, stated that reporting of ongoing cases is not prohibited by the statute utilized by Pemra.
At the subsequent hearing, the court ordered closing arguments and postponed it until June 11.
After hearing petitions challenging its notifications forbidding television networks from carrying news of court proceedings and instructing them to report on written orders only, the IHC issued letters to Pemra and secretary information on May 24.
