• September 18, 2024
• Broadcasting
• Web Desk

On September 12, the Supreme Court concluded contempt proceedings against 34 television channels following their submission of unconditional apologies for broadcasting press conferences by independent Senator Faisal Vawda and Member of the National Assembly Mustafa Kamal, which leveled allegations against the judiciary.

The case was heard by a four-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa. It included Justices Irfan Saadat Khan, Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Shahid Bilal Hassan. During the hearing, Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for 26 TV channels, informed the court that the media outlets had filed a civil miscellaneous application (CMA) with an unconditional apology and a commitment to prevent such occurrences.

The media houses assured the court that steps would be taken to enhance internal accountability mechanisms and prevent the dissemination of defamatory or incorrect news.

Counsel Siddiqui emphasized that any lapse in reporting would result in corrective action. The channels’ commitment and apology led the court to dispose of the contempt proceedings. The chief justice, however, expressed concerns over why the damaging content had been repeatedly aired while the court’s orders remained unpublished.

During the proceedings, the Pakistan Broadcasting Association (PBA) Chairman, Shakeel Masood Hussain, outlined the self-accountability mechanism employed by TV channels before airing news. Additional Attorney General (AAG) Aamir Rehman highlighted the court’s tradition of accepting apologies as a mitigating factor in such cases, emphasizing that an unconditional apology signified an admission of guilt.

The court questioned the role of the media in spreading disinformation, with CJP Isa criticizing sensationalism in journalism. He noted that while the media is a vital pillar of the state, holding institutions accountable, it must also ensure truthfulness and accuracy. The CJP remarked that false reporting diminishes actual news value and urged the media to focus on maintaining ethical standards.

Siddiqui admitted that the channels recognized their mistake after the court’s order and pledged not to repeat such violations. The Chief Justice asked why the channels did not broadcast the court’s order and expressed discontent over using abusive language in televised talk shows. He warned that such behavior was damaging society and emphasized the need for responsible journalism.

The Supreme Court ultimately discharged the show-cause notices, noting that while the court was not interested in imprisoning anyone, the media’s conduct significantly impacted the country.