The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has rejected PEMRA's ban on the PTI chairman Imran Khan calling it a violation of basic fundamental rights, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a blanket ban on broadcasting live or recorded speeches of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan on all satellite TV channels.
In a statement issued on Sunday, AEMEND stated that the constitution of Pakistan allows everyone to speak and write according to the legal frame, in case of violation, the state and institutions have the right to act in accordance with the law.
The association urged the PERMRA to immediately revoke the ban on broadcasting PTI Chairman Imran Khan's speeches.
According to PEMRA rules, television channels have their own institutional mechanism and effective delay system. Although there is a law, under this guise, banning all television channels from broadcasting the speech or conversation of any political leader is itself an illegal act.
AEMEND has in the past also opposed the ban on expression without discrimination and has effectively fought against this demand.
PEMRA urges PEMRA to avoid such unnecessary, illegal, and anti-expression actions, and to respect freedom of expression.