Geo News has issued an unconditional apology and acknowledged an editorial lapse after content aired during its 10th Muharram special transmission, Safar-e-Ishq, drew criticism over its depiction of certain religious rituals.
In a detailed clarification released on Saturday, the broadcaster said the footage did not reflect its editorial policy or its longstanding commitment to respecting the widely accepted religious beliefs and sensitivities of the Muslim Ummah.
The channel said the purpose of the statement was not to justify the incident but to acknowledge the mistake, explain the corrective measures taken, and reaffirm its commitment to preventing a recurrence.
What did the broadcaster say about the editorial lapse?
Geo News described the incident as a “grave editorial error”, stating that the material was broadcast unintentionally and was neither deliberate nor reflective of the organisation’s editorial values or institutional beliefs.
“What happened was wrong. We do not seek to defend, minimise, or rationalise it. We sincerely regret that this material was broadcast,” the broadcaster said.
It added that the issue had caused pain within the organisation itself because it concerned religious beliefs and values that the channel said it deeply respects.
How did Geo News respond after discovering the error?
According to the broadcaster, the content was removed immediately after its editorial team identified the mistake, before any formal complaint or regulatory intervention.
Geo News said show-cause notices had been issued to the reporter and members of the editorial committee involved in approving the content. It added that a formal internal inquiry had been initiated and disciplinary action was being taken in accordance with company policy.
What measures has the channel announced to prevent a repeat?
The broadcaster said it has strengthened its editorial approval procedures by introducing additional review mechanisms, enhanced supervision and stricter compliance checks.
It also pledged to improve editorial oversight, staff training and internal quality-control processes to minimise the risk of similar incidents in the future.
How did Geo News defend its institutional record?
Geo News said the incident should be viewed in the context of its decades-long record of producing religious programming, including Ramazan transmissions, Hajj coverage, Rabi-ul-Awwal and Muharram specials, as well as initiatives such as Aalim Online.
The broadcaster argued that one editorial mistake should not overshadow years of work aimed at promoting religious understanding and serving its audience.
It maintained that while human error can occur in any newsroom operating around the clock, such mistakes cannot be treated as an excuse. Instead, it said, institutions should acknowledge errors transparently, hold those responsible accountable and improve internal systems.
What clarification did the broadcaster offer about the disputed footage?
In an earlier statement, Geo News said the programme had shown rituals practised by a limited number of people in Iraq and some other Middle Eastern countries.
It clarified that the footage was intended only to depict local customs and was never meant to represent, endorse or promote any broader religious viewpoint.
The broadcaster further stated that the material had neither been produced by Geo News nor aired with any deliberate intent to promote a particular interpretation.
What action has PEMRA taken?
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued a notice to Geo News and ordered the suspension of the channel’s transmission for 15 days.
According to the regulator’s order, the suspension will apply to satellite and all other transmission platforms.
PEMRA also directed its Complaints Council to hear the matter, conduct further proceedings and formulate recommendations regarding any additional regulatory action.