Geo News Faces Suspension: Muharram Broadcast Controversy
- On Saturday, The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority suspended Geo News for 15 days, citing 'unacceptable religious depiction' in the channel's program 'Safar-e-Ishq'.
- Regulatory action followed a complaint filed by Ibtisham Zahir, head of the Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith, regarding content aired during the 10th of Muharram.
- The regulator stated the broadcast 'constitutes a serious regulatory concern' due to religious sensitivities, as it depicted rituals practiced in Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries.
- Geo News apologized for the 'mistake' on Sunday, while PEMRA referred the matter to its Council of Complaints for further investigation and potential regulatory action.
- Pakistan, ranked 158th out of 180 countries on the 2025 Press Freedom Index, navigates religious sensitivities with a population that is mostly Sunni and 10% Shiite Muslim.
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Pakistan suspends Geo News for 15 days over offensive Muharram broadcast
Muharram Shia Matam: Pakistan has suspended Karachi-based Geo News for 15 days over a Muharram programme that authorities said showed objectionable religious visuals. The channel apologised and removed the content, but the case has revived concerns over Shia-Sunni sectarian sensitivities and media controls under Pakistan's civilian-military hybrid regime.
Pakistan suspends Geo News for 15 days over controversial religious content. The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PMRA) has suspended the broadcasting license of Geo News for 15 days, following content aired during a special program commemorating the month of Muharram. Authorities deemed the content to contain "religious visual representations" that could offend religious sentiments and threaten social harmony.
Channel taken off air
The media regulator has suspended Geo News' broadcast licence for 15 days over content aired during a programme marking Muharram, saying that "religious visualisations" broadcast on June 26 could offend religious sentiments, undermine religious harmony and disturb public order. Geo News has apologised and issued a statement on Sunday saying the material had been aired in error and did not reflect the channel's editorial position ?or beliefs. It …
Pakistan media regulator bans Geo News for 15 days over broadcast deemed religiously sensitive, channel issues apology
The regulator said Geo News aired “religious visualisations” during a June 26 programme that could offend religious sentiments, undermine religious harmony and disturb public order.
Geo News Faces Suspension: Muharram Broadcast Controversy
The suspension of Geo News by Pakistan's media regulator over a Muharram broadcast has sparked controversy. The channel aired content deemed offensive, leading to a 15-day licence suspension. Geo News apologized, claiming the material was unintentionally aired and not reflective of their views.
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