The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) issued an order requiring key media sector companies to abide by competition regulations, which was affirmed by the Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) in a landmark decision. The PBA’s appeal was dismissed.
After receiving a complaint from M/s Bol Media Network, M/s Labbaik (Pvt) Limited, and M/s Bol Enterprises (Pvt) Limited against PBA, the Broadcaster Advertisers Council (BAC), and Medialogic (Pvt) Limited, the CCP ordered a thorough investigation. Bol claimed that through a deal buried in three different agreements between the PBA, BAC, Pakistan Advertisers Society (PAS), and Medialogic, the latter had hidden its ratings.
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) ruled that these agreements were void because they were anti-competitive and in breach of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2010.
The agreements essentially prevented non-PBA and non-BAC members from obtaining Medialogic ratings and services, which put obstacles in the way of newcomers and non-members. Medialogic was also prohibited from joining the BAC and threatened with financial penalties if it gave ratings to non-PBA members.
PBA challenged the CCP’s order in an appeal before the Competition Appellate Tribunal, but the Tribunal dismissed the appeal on July 11, 2024.
