Islamabad High Court emphasizes responsible journalism

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has clarified that court reporting is allowed, but emphasized the importance of responsible journalism. This clarification came during a hearing regarding restrictions imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on broadcasting court proceedings by news channels.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice of the IHC highlighted that while the media is permitted to cover court proceedings, sensationalized reporting is discouraged. Pemra, in response, defended its directives, stating that they aim to prevent any content that could influence ongoing cases from being aired on television.

One of the petitioners' lawyers pointed out that the law cited by Pemra does not explicitly prohibit reporting on ongoing cases. The court has set the date for final arguments on June 11 and issued notices to Pemra and the secretary of information in response to the petitions challenging Pemra's notifications.

Pemra's directives, issued on May 21, instructed satellite news channels to refrain from broadcasting news related to court proceedings and to focus solely on reporting written orders. The media watchdog warned of legal consequences for any violations of these directives.

The Islamabad High Court's clarification on court reporting sheds light on the balance between media coverage and responsible journalism. As the legal proceedings continue, it is essential for both the media and regulatory authorities to uphold ethical reporting standards while ensuring transparency in the dissemination of information.