Pakistan clamps down on illegal channels – again
November 26, 2014
By Chris Forrester
Not for the first time, Pakistan’s Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed the nation’s cable operators to cease and desist from carrying non-licensed channels.
PEMRA says it has received “several complaints” over the number of illegal and unauthorised channels being carried into viewers’ homes.
The regulator says it will penalise MSO and local cable operators if they continue carrying unlicensed channels.
PEMRA frequently steps into this area, and as well as ‘banning’ channels which are not licensed has also acted against channels which carry contentious programming or even those carrying advertisements such as contraceptives. Last year PEMRA banned all Indian channels, and threatened operators with arrest for ignoring the ban.