Pakistan TV watchdog slams channel over hate programme against Malala Yousafzai

Pakistan's electronic media watchdog on Friday criticised a leading TV channel for airing a 'hate programme' against Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai that could endanger the life of the teenage child rights activist.

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said the ARY news channel on February 7 used "indecent and uncivilised language" against Malala who moved to the UK after being shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 for standing up for girls' rights to education.

PEMRA said that the TV branded her as a "traitor and a blasphemer" which was dangerous for her. "Issuing certificates of treason and infidelity and declaring someone the enemy of the country or an enemy of Islam is not the job of TV anchors or the participants of a TV programme," it said.

It further said that the words used by the host and guests against Malala and her family were "undoubtedly hate speech" and their use is banned the law. "They are broadcasting such material which could endanger someone's life," the TV regulator said.

Malala, now 18, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 along with India's Kailash Satyarthi and is the youngest person to grab the honour. She is accused by the Islamists for playing in the hands of the West.