A high court in Pakistan, on Wednesday, issued a directive instructing the country's electronic media watchdog to ensure "free and unrestricted" media coverage for all political leaders, including the incarcerated former prime minister, Imran Khan, in anticipation of the upcoming general elections on February 8.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued this order in response to a petition filed last year by Imran Khan, the 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, challenging the ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on his name and speeches being broadcasted on TV channels, as reported by the Dawn newspaper.
The court, led by Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza, emphasized that the Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct mandates media channels to conduct political programs objectively, ensuring the representation of all political parties. The written order highlighted the petitioner's claim that the media breached the code of conduct by not allowing the mention of Khan's name in programs.
Given the significance of the upcoming general elections, the court directed PEMRA to guarantee "free and unrestricted access" to media platforms for the petitioner and candidates from all political parties. It stressed that the government does not have the right to impede media coverage of specific candidates or parties, emphasizing the need for a level playing field in the election process.
The order underscored the role of the media in providing accurate information about candidates and political parties to facilitate an "informed citizenry" and promote a fair electoral environment. The court insisted that media platforms must offer unhindered access to candidates from all political affiliations, enabling them to communicate their messages and manifestos to the public.
In the context of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party facing setbacks with legal judgments against its leaders, the court's directive aimed to ensure equitable access to media for all political entities in the run-up to the general elections.
(With Agency Inputs)
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