I&B Ministry: another advisory to TV channels
In the light of coverage of the recent terror operations, Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry is likely to issue another advisory to TV channels not to divulge operational details. The TV channels reportedly violated the Cable TV Network Rules. TV channels reporting details like reinforcements sent, police/paramilitary positions etc during Gurudaspur terror operation was seen as against the national interest according to sources.
Arun Jaitley said that government may soon bring about regulation to impose restrictions on media coverage of terror-related incidents like 26/11 attacks. He was speaking on 'media freedom and responsibility' at the first Justice JS Verma Memorial Lecture organized by News Broadcasters Association (NBA). Minister of Finance (then Information and Broadcasting Minister) Arun Jaitley said the issue was under "serious and advance consideration".
The live coverage of an anti-terror operations in J&K's Kathua district on 20 March 2015 had prompted the I&B Ministry to issue an advisory asking broadcasters to not air live such operations to avoid any adverse impact on the rescue exercise.
Under the new amendments made to Cable Television Network Rules,1994 the TV channels will be mandated to restrict themselves to reporting periodic briefing by designated officers while reporting anti-terror operations. The TV channels will be barred from live coverage of such events. I&B Secretary Bimal Julka confirmed that the amendment was made to Cable TV Networks Rules, as per the advice of MHA.
I&B Ministry issued an advisory against live media coverage of anti-terrorist operations by security forces at Gurdaspur in Punjab. The Ministry said that some TV channels carried live telecast of the anti-terrorist operations in Gurdaspur which was a violation of Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2015 making them liable for action. The advisory issued therefore directed them to desist from further violation of rules.
Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) said the new amendments limited media coverage. BEA said, "While it does not believe in live visual coverage of terror incidents, it does believe that media coverage can't be restricted to official briefings". News Broadcasters Association (NBA) said that it was unfair to restrict coverage to just official briefings since a delay of such briefings could lead to avoidable speculation.
