2024 PLD 1163 SUPREME-COURT

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VS S. 3---Constitution of Pakistan, Arts. 19, 19A & 204---Contempt of Court---Contemptuous and false press conferences against the Supreme Court and its Judges aired/broadcasted by television channels---Contempt of court notices issued to television channels---Unqualified apology tendered by television channels to the Supreme Court with the commitment to broadcast the apology during prime time---Expiation of the offence of contempt---Twenty-six television channels filed miscellaneous applications tendering unqualified apologies to the Court which stated that they will ensure that such mistakes are not repeated in the future---Other channels to whom (contempt) notices were issued also directly or through their respective counsel tendered a similar apology and statement---All the channels agreed to broadcast on prime time the fact that they have tendered an apology to the Supreme Court and will also broadcast certain paragraphs recorded by the Supreme Court in its order dated 28th June 2024 relating to current proceedings---In view of the unqualified apology and the undertaking with regard to the abovementioned broadcast, which would constitute expiation, the show cause notices issued by the Supreme Court to all the television channels were withdrawn, subject to the said apology and the contents of certain paragraphs of the order dated 28th June 2024 being broadcast on prime time---Supreme Court observed that media is categorized as the fourth pillar of the State and an independent media broadcasting facts and the truth is essential for democratic rule as it highlights wrongdoing, however, its credibility and effectiveness is undermined when falsehoods are broadcast; that if within the respective press/media organizations a mechanism for self-accountability is developed it will improve their standing, credibility and resultantly become more effective in drawing attention to wrongdoing, and thus help in stemming it.

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