The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has submitted a letter to the chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), urging the immediate reinstatement of suspended TV rating services, ARY News reported.
In the letter, the PBA expressed concerns over the challenges created by the abrupt suspension of TV ratings. The association highlighted that this decision has led to a significant drop in media investments, negatively affecting both broadcasters and advertisers.
The PBA emphasized that the suspension of TV ratings has caused the cancellation of multiple advertising campaigns, resulting in considerable revenue losses for the industry.
Furthermore, the association underscored that TV ratings are crucial for broadcasters and advertisers to assess performance and make informed decisions. It called on PEMRA to reconsider its decision and restore the rating services quickly to address the concerns of the media and advertising sectors.
Read More: IHC issues notice to PEMRA regarding court coverage ban
In May 2024, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a notice to PEMRA over its ban on court coverage.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the petition filed by the Journalists Association, challenging PEMRA’s notification, and directed PEMRA to refrain from taking any disciplinary action against TV channels.
The IHC had issued notices to PEMRA and the Secretary of Information, with petitioners, including Barrister Omar Ayaz Gullani, presenting their case in court. Riasat Ali Azad, the President of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association, also appeared.
This development followed four petitions filed against PEMRA’s notification, which prohibited TV channels from broadcasting news on court proceedings.
The petitions called for the PEMRA notification to be suspended, revoked, and declared illegal.
