Censorship in Pakistan Goes From ‘Pleasant’ to ‘Unpleasant’

Por Asif Ullah Khan — The Diplomat

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Authorities have directed satellite TV channels to refrain from broadcasting or providing live coverage of “unpleasant incidents,” meaning shootings, blasts and terrorist attacks.

The famous Pakistani satirist and playwright, Anwar Maqsood, once said at the Karachi Literature Festival: “The biggest lie in Pakistan is PTV’s weather report. Outside it is scorching hot, but the news announces: ‘The weather across the country is pleasant.’”

The man, a master of puns and wordplay, used the weather analogy to highlight the censorship imposed on the state broadcaster to keep people away from the harsh realities of the country. He used “scorching hot” as a metaphor for unemployment, inflation, poverty and social unrest.

Now, things have gone from “pleasant” to “unpleasant.”

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on October 13 directed satellite television channels to refrain from broadcasting or providing live coverage of “unpleasant incidents,” meaning explosions, blasts, firing and terrorist attacks.

“All satellite TV channel licensees are once again hereby directed to refrain from broadcast, re-broadcast and live coverage of any unfortunate/unpleasant incident such as explosion, blast, firing, terrorist attack etc,” the notification said, adding, “Satellite TV channels must broadcast only such verified information, warranted by the concerned department/law enforcement agency.”

The notification also directed channels to “effectively use time delay mechanism” and ensure the constitution of an independent editorial board in accordance with PEMRA laws, a Supreme Court judgment in suo motu case No. 28 of 2018, and an Islamabad High Court order issued on September 5, 2022.

Before the PEMRA notification, Pakistani satellite TV channels had refrained from broadcasting the “most unpleasant” – the name of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his image. Following the May 9, 2023, protests triggered by Khan’s arrest, PEMRA asked television licensees to ensure that “hate mongers, rioters, their facilitators and perpetrators” were “completely screened out from media.” Although it did not name Khan, television channels got the message.

Now, TV anchors have devised a new nomenclature while referring to news regarding Khan’s court proceedings. The preferred terms are “chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)” or “PTI chief.” One TV anchor satirically uses “Kasim ke Abba” (father of Kasim), which is the name of Khan’s elder son.

Recently, Pakistani journalist and author Mohammed Hanif, in his satirical blog on BBC Urdu, said people of his age had seen posters saying, “Please avoid political discussions in Pakistani restaurants.” Hanif says that, though he has not seen any restaurant owner pushing guests out for indulging in political discussion, this rule will now be implemented by Pakistan’s cyber authorities.

Any comment or discussion can be construed as anti-national or as disturbing public peace because the cyber authorities have not specified what constitutes such content. So, even a harmless post can invite the government’s wrath if a comment below it is seen as an attack on a government department. In the end, Hanif suggests that the safest way to avoid the midnight knock on your door is to discuss cooking recipes.

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The famous Pakistani satirist and playwright, Anwar Maqsood, once said at the Karachi Literature Festival: “The biggest lie in Pakistan is PTV’s weather report. Outside it is scorching hot, but the news announces: ‘The weather across the country is pleasant.’”

The man, a master of puns and wordplay, used the weather analogy to highlight the censorship imposed on the state broadcaster to keep people away from the harsh realities of the country. He used “scorching hot” as a metaphor for unemployment, inflation, poverty and social unrest.

Now, things have gone from “pleasant” to “unpleasant.”

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on October 13 directed satellite television channels to refrain from broadcasting or providing live coverage of “unpleasant incidents,” meaning explosions, blasts, firing and terrorist attacks.

“All satellite TV channel licensees are once again hereby directed to refrain from broadcast, re-broadcast and live coverage of any unfortunate/unpleasant incident such as explosion, blast, firing, terrorist attack etc,” the notification said, adding, “Satellite TV channels must broadcast only such verified information, warranted by the concerned department/law enforcement agency.”

The notification also directed channels to “effectively use time delay mechanism” and ensure the constitution of an independent editorial board in accordance with PEMRA laws, a Supreme Court judgment in suo motu case No. 28 of 2018, and an Islamabad High Court order issued on September 5, 2022.

Before the PEMRA notification, Pakistani satellite TV channels had refrained from broadcasting the “most unpleasant” – the name of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his image. Following the May 9, 2023, protests triggered by Khan’s arrest, PEMRA asked television licensees to ensure that “hate mongers, rioters, their facilitators and perpetrators” were “completely screened out from media.” Although it did not name Khan, television channels got the message.

Now, TV anchors have devised a new nomenclature while referring to news regarding Khan’s court proceedings. The preferred terms are “chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)” or “PTI chief.” One TV anchor satirically uses “Kasim ke Abba” (father of Kasim), which is the name of Khan’s elder son.

Recently, Pakistani journalist and author Mohammed Hanif, in his satirical blog on BBC Urdu, said people of his age had seen posters saying, “Please avoid political discussions in Pakistani restaurants.” Hanif says that, though he has not seen any restaurant owner pushing guests out for indulging in political discussion, this rule will now be implemented by Pakistan’s cyber authorities.

Any comment or discussion can be construed as anti-national or as disturbing public peace because the cyber authorities have not specified what constitutes such content. So, even a harmless post can invite the government’s wrath if a comment below it is seen as an attack on a government department. In the end, Hanif suggests that the safest way to avoid the midnight knock on your door is to discuss cooking recipes.

Asif Ullah Khan is a veteran journalist who has held senior editorial positions at The Times of India, Khaleej Times, The Hindustan Times, and The Brunei Times. He currently writes for The Diplomat, The Wire, The India Legal, The ASEAN Post, and other international publications.

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Fonte: The Diplomat