Broadcast Media, Regulation and Freedom of Expression in Pakistan

Abstract

Regulation is an important aspect of the freedom of expression of broadcast media. However, in Pakistan, it is purported that broadcast media is heavily regulated, and there is very little space for freedom of expression on broadcast media. This short article examines this contention of heavy regulation by analyzing the regulatory system of broadcast media in Pakistan. The doctrinal legal research method is applied in this study. The socio-legal research method is also adopted to support the doctrinal legal research method. Under socio-legal methods, the qualitative methods of in-depth interviews are adopted. This article finds, among others, that there are numerous issues annexed with the regulation of broadcast media in Pakistan. These issues have seriously affected the applicability of the principle of freedom of expression and also restricted the prospects of effective regulation of broadcast media in Pakistan. In the end, this article articulates future implications regarding the regulation of broadcast media in the country.