Dubai: The Pakistan television industry has produced shows in the past few years that address serious social issues, such as sexual abuse, infidelity and even transgenders in society. However, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a statement, saying the quality of Pakistani dramas is ‘deteriorating’ and social media users in the country aren’t pleased.
In the statement shared on their official twitter account, @reportpemra, the regulatory authority stated: “Themes of drama serials/plots are quite bold and not reflective of majority of Pakistani society. Plots/ themes of Pakistani dramas are influenced by alien cultures/societies, portraying fictional society. Besides, unnecessary glamour, bold scenes are being shown in the dramas ignoring religious, social, cultural and ethical values of the country.”
After the statement was issued, a conversation immediately began on Twitter, with many tweeps questioning the authority’s decision to issue the statement.
Tweep @nidkirm wrote: “Moral policing and censorship continues. PEMRA disappoints once again by trying to stifle the arts, creativity and freedom of expression! @pemrapakistan @reportpemra”
Moral policing and censorship continues. PEMRA disappoints once again by trying to stifle the arts, creativity and freedom of expression! @pemrapakistan @reportpemra https://t.co/BQHNd5iCBL
— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) September 3, 2018
@exerlonjawd tweeted: “Someone needs to revolutionise PEMRA. They clearly have no idea what they should be doing. How about they first focus on the news channels. I have literally seen politicians criticise each other on the colour of someone’s skin. Did PEMRA even bother to stop something like that?”
Tweep @KhanWrites added: “Pemra should stop moral policing. People have eyes and remotes in their hands. What they like they will watch.”
That’s not it. The Pakistani television fraternity and other personalities have also started questioning PEMRA’s decision. Actor Osman Khalid Butt was amongst the first to join in.
On his twitter account, @aClockworkObi, he wrote: “What, pray tell, is the ‘true picture of Pakistani society’? Not every drama serial is meant to be watched with the family... How is television content expected to diversify when we get sweeping generalisations like this? Good television with strong content holds a mirror up to society, and is meant to be uncomfortable. If you don’t like what you see, change the channel.”
What, pray tell, is the 'true picture of Pakistani society'?
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) September 3, 2018
Not every drama serial is meant to be watched with the family. Pinky & Babloo can be put to bed before, no? How is television content expected to diversify when we get sweeping generalizations like this: https://t.co/0sHwMVGtDc
Butt was last seen in a Pakistani television show titled ‘Baaghi’ (rebel), which was a biographical show based on the controversial Pakistani figure Qandeel Baloch.
Fahimeh Fifi Haroon, senior journalist at BBC Global, posted on her twitter account, @fifiharoon: “Is PEMRA there to police our morals? It’s not for PEMRA to ask channels to adhere to their ‘social responsibility’. Channels can decide their own entertainment programming priorities. Instead of writing a moralistic letter, PEMRA could focus on writing a more detailed code.”
Writer and actress Shama Junejo also weighed in on her twitter account, @ShamaJunejo: “Wish our media could show the real face of Pakistani society, which is laced with corruption, drugs, hypocrisy, intolerance, bigotry, raping young girls and sexual abuse... Only if we were permitted to show it!”
The United Producers Association in Pakistan also raised its voice against PEMRA’s notice.
On their twitter account, @UPAPakistan, the wrote: “#PEMRA sends advice to Pakistani Entertainment Channels that are already struggling to survive in strong competition against uncontrolled foreign content on cable channels playing copyright infringement content. What action has #PEMRA taken so far against it?
“Pakistani TV Dramas are good quality entertainment, they pay government all taxes and have a censor policy. What about content on cable and other channels that show foreign content? #PEMRA must exercise its power against those.”
This isn’t the first time that PEMRA has issued a statement that hasn’t been received well by audiences. According to a report published by Pakistan-based newspaper Dawn, the Pakistani TV show titled Udaari (to fly), which focused on sexual abuse against children, also received a warning for ‘objectionable’ content.
However, there are two sides to a coin and in this case, there are several social media users who support PEMRA’s decision and ask for blanket bans on shows with bold themes.
Twepe @Pr1ncess17 posted: “‘Moral policing’ is done by every channel, however the likes of you only have issue when perversion and vulgarity gets banned. Whats the obssession? I would say great step PEMRA as TV dramas have mostly nothing to offer besides digging dirt in the name of freedom.”
@Na_Gee_N added: “We are actually fed up with the indecent content our dramas are telecasting nearly all the time.”
Pemra 👏👏
— Nageen Athar (@Na_Gee_N) September 4, 2018
we r actually fed up with the indecent content our dramas r telecasting nearly all the time.
A look at six Pakistani television shows that have dealt with taboo subjects.
1. Udaari: The show focused on sexual abuse against children and tells the tale of a child rape survivor.
2. Chup Raho: The show focuses on physical abuse. The protagonist is raped by her own brother-in-law and has to stay silent just to save her family’s reputation and her sister’s marriage.
3. Khuda Mera Bhi Hai: The main focus of this show was a transgender child. Majority of the society is seen shunning the baby just because of unspecified gender.
4. Dil Tu Bhatkay Ga: This show brought to life another taboo subject — an illegitimate affair.
5. Illteja: The show talks about Down Syndrome and the challenges that one has to face when raising a child suffering from it.
6. Khudgarz: This show raises the topic of forced marriages and misogyny.
