ECP wants action on media directive

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Election Commission of Pakistan.— File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked regulators of electronic and print media to ensure compliance of its directive requiring media houses to provide details of political advertisements aired and published by them.

The commission had issued the directive on March 26 seeking details of all paid and unpaid political advertisements and other broadcasts and publications containing the name, election symbol or photograph of candidates or leaders of political parties.

In a letter to the chief executive officers of television and radio channels and editors of newspapers, the ECP had said details should include duration, timing and frequency of broadcasts and publications and tariff charged by the media houses. It had also sought details of payments and contributions received or due from political parties or any other person in relation to political advertisements.

The commission has now asked the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and the Press Information Department to ensure compliance of its directive by April 15.

In its latest letter, the ECP said it may also be ensured that such information was submitted to it on a weekly basis on every Monday failing which strict action would be taken and all political advertisements would be banned for the respective media houses.

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