PEMRA has sent a notice to Pakistani channel Geo News for showing Asha Bhosle’s songs on her death. The authority has termed it a violation of the Indian content ban of 2018. Calling it the religion of journalism, the channel described art as beyond borders.
Islamabad: Action has been taken on a big news channel of Pakistan ‘Geo News’. The channel had shown the news of the demise of India’s music queen Asha Bhosle and scenes from her songs and films. After this, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has sent a show cause notice to the channel. The authority alleges that the channel has broken the ban on Indian content since 2018.
According to reports, Asha Bhosle died on April 12 at the age of 92. Paying tribute to him, Geo News had played his famous songs in a report. The regulatory authority has called it contempt of the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The authority has warned that the channel may be fined, its broadcast may be stopped or its license may even be cancelled. The channel CEO has been asked to appear before him on April 27.
But, Managing Director of Geo News Azhar Abbas has given a strong reaction to this action. He said that when a great artist passes away, it is the duty of journalism to remember and showcase his work. He wrote on social media platform Abbas also recalled Asha Bhosle’s fondness for Pakistan and her work with artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Many leaders including Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman have also criticized this step of the regulatory authority. On the other hand, Asha Bhosle was cremated with full state honors at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Many Bollywood stars including Aamir Khan and thousands of fans had come to bid farewell to their favorite singer.