Islamabad: The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) has affirmed the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s (CCP) order against significant entities within the media industry, reinforcing the mandate to uphold fair competition standards. The ruling dismissed an appeal by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), which contested the CCP’s findings and directives stemming from complaints of anti-competitive agreements facilitated by Medialogic.

According to Competition Commission of Pakistan, the complaints initiated by M/s Bol Media Network, M/s Labbaik (Pvt) Limited, and M/s Bol Enterprises (Pvt) Limited accused Medialogic and associated media bodies of denying them essential ratings through exclusionary contracts designed to benefit members of the PBA and Broadcaster Advertisers Council (BAC) exclusively. These agreements were found to violate Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010 by creating undue barriers for non-members, thus stifling competition within the media broadcasting sector.

The CAT’s decision on 11th July 2024 to uphold the CCP’s order highlights the ongoing commitment to ensure a level playing field in Pakistan’s dynamic media landscape. The ruling prevents established associations from engaging in practices that limit access to critical services like audience ratings, which are crucial for media companies’ operational and advertising strategies.

This enforcement of competition laws is a significant step in fostering an environment where new entrants and smaller entities can compete fairly, promoting diversity and innovation in the media industry.