Pakistani media has been quite critical of and very open about matters regarding the political and military leadership of the country but things may be shifting now as a new suggestion by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting seeks a ban on criticism of the country’s president, army, and judiciary. The suggestion also proposes prohibiting live coverage of terrorist violence in the country.

Under the chairmanship of Belum Husnaian, the committee examined and recommended the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008, for approval. The committee agreed that media, particularly anchorpersons, should be taken into confidence over issues of national interest. Certain amendments to the bill have been recommended as well according to which police would require judicial orders in order to seal the offices of any media organization.

The committee discussed the issue of some anchorpersons unfairly criticizing state institutions and ridiculing prominent figures. Certainly anchors were also said to have been speaking against the ideology of Pakistan. It was agreed that such practice was not acceptable for being against the national interest.

Meanwhile, special councils of complaint have been set up in the four provinces and one in the federal capital to hear complaints against media’s broadcast. There are plans for arranging meetings of the National Assembly Standing Committee with the media professionals so that the latter be informed of the effects of certain kinds of programs on the society.