The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has unanimously approved the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023.

The committee, which met at the Radio Pakistan Islamabad with Javaria Zafar Aheer in the chair, termed the Bill a historic initiative for the welfare of journalists and appreciated all the efforts of all stakeholders, including the government, in that regard.

Besides The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Amendment Bill 2023, the committee also discussed The Press Council of Pakistan Amendment Bill 2023.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, while briefing the committee, said amending the PEMRA law is the need of the hour as the entire scenario of the media has changed.

She said under the amended law, for the first time media workers are being given the right to file complaints in the Council of Complaints, whereas in the past they were sacked even for demanding salaries.

Under the new bill, a three-member committee would now have the powers to close down a channel instead of the PEMRA chairman.

The Minister said in the past, an unsuccessful attempt was made to bring a black law like the Pakistan Media Development Authority. However, the incumbent government took 13 months to prepare the amended bill as extensive consultations were held with all stakeholders, including media workers organizations and owners of media houses.

She said that the definitions of fake news, disinformation and misinformation have also been included in the bill.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said under the new bill, the fine for deliberately spreading false news has been increased from 1 million rupees to 10 million rupees. 

She further said under the bill, the scope of public entertainment, education and information has been expanded.

The Minister said as per the amended bill, timely payment refers to payments made to electronic media employees within two months.

She said at the federal and provincial levels, government advertisements would not be given to the electronic media houses for non-payment of salaries. 

The duration of airing advertisements would not exceed five minutes during a regular program on the electronic media.

The Minister said the broadcast media licenses would be issued for 20 years and the distribution licenses for 10 years. 

Marriyum Aurangzeb said for the first time, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Pakistan Broadcasters Association have been given representation under the new PEMRA law, while the condition of not broadcasting disinformation has also been included in the news channels' code of conduct.

The Minister said the grievance councils would be based at Islamabad and provincial capitals to redress the grievances of the people, institutions and others.

On the occasion, PEMRA Chairman Saleem Baig told the panel that all electronic media channels are legally bound to submit a copy of their annual audit reports every year.