Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), at the behest of the government, has reportedly sent out a stern reminder to the top management of major news channels, using the questionable medium of SMS, about the consequences of criticising “friendly countries”. The friendly country in this context is Saudi Arabia, and this happens to be the second time this year when PEMRA has gallantly intervened and warned Pakistan’s media houses about harming the delicate special relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The first time was in May when the Yemen war was brewing and Pakistan’s army was potentially being roped into Saudi Arabia’s regional power play. As the involvement of Pakistan’s forces in a distant war was a national concern, the issue was furiously debated on the airwaves and those debates earned an official sanction. This time the offending actions of media have been discussing the Mina tragedy and being rightfully critical of gross mismanagement by the Saudi authorities, which has led to great suffering for thousands of families worldwide, including in Pakistan. PEMRA is hiding behind a constitutional prerogative, Article 19, which puts restrictions on freedom of speech when it comes to relations with “friendly countries”. Regardless of the merits of this constitutional article, the ambiguously worded limitations on free speech and press are applied in a distinctly inconsistent and incoherent manner. An insider of the state body confessed that no such warning is issued when it comes to criticism of the US or other allies of Pakistan in the media, as they are deemed to have a thick enough skin. This arbitrary approach in implementing the law is seemingly designed to protect the sensibilities of just one government and makes a mockery of the entire procedure.
The media has a responsibility to report, comment on and illuminate issues of public importance. In the case of Mina, a real tragedy happened in one of the biggest global events and understanding the causes for this stampede is the right of the Muslim community worldwide, even if it means implicating the Saudi regime. There is a principle behind the criticism and the media should not be forced to turn a blind eye to the problem. In a democracy, a free press is a fundamental right, and it does not behove the government to employ censorship in this country to placate a foreign dictatorship. Irresponsible reporting where sensationalism and questionable sources are heavily employed to exploit the tragedy for ratings is indeed a serious problem and PEMRA has every right to intervene to ensure broadcast integrity. But it will be malicious to conflate unethical reporting with legitimate criticism, comment and investigation in a public interest case. Making note of a genuine problem and bringing it to the public’s eye is the essential purpose of the media and they should not be stopped from performing their job and duty. *