PFUJ decries Pemra for banning election surveys

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for stopping TV channels from airing surveys regarding general elections on the pretext that these will ‘influence the free choice of voters’.

PFUJ president Afzal Butt and secretary general Arshad Ansari, while rejecting the PEMRA’s decision, have urged the authority to immediately withdraw its decision to halt surveys on TV channels as it is against norms before general elections and against freedom of the press.

“Even in the past, such surveys had been routine practice during electioneering, which is a globally accepted practice,” PFUJ office bearer said.

PFUJ once again reminded that the code of ethics devised by PEMRA is lopsided as it is finalised by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) with the consultation of all the stakeholders instead of regulators. “We cannot accept such a code for media during general elections, which is against the basic principles of freedom of speech and press and the constitutional rights of citizens of Pakistan,” said PFUJ office bearers.

They said pre-poll surveys determine the voting trends without influencing the voters, and such surveys are conducted even in developed and developing countries before general elections, aired on radio and TV channels, and published in newspapers. Therefore, PEMRA must immediately withdraw its uncalled-for decision. They called upon the ECP to devise a media code of conduct for the February 8, 2024, general elections after detailed deliberation with all stakeholders, including PFUJ.