I&B Min bars live TV coverage of anti-terror operations
24 March 2015 12:31 AM GMT
TV channels will be barred from airing live coverage of anti-terrorist operations by security forces as per a new rule approved by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
Broadcasters in such situations will have to restrict themselves to reporting periodic briefing by designated officers, as per the new rule.
Officials said a new clause will be added in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 as per which TV channels will not carry content “which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate Government, till such operation concludes.”
When contacted I&B Secretary Bimal Julka confirmed that “an amendment in the rules has been incorporated in the Cable TV Networks Rules, as per the advice of the MHA.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier asked the I&B Ministry to ensure that security operations are not covered live by the media.
The officials said the I&B Ministry had earlier written to the MHA asking what should be the definition of the term “anti-terrorist operation” in order to make changes in the rules. It has been decided that “anti-terrorist operation” means “such operation undertaken to bring terrorists to justice, which includes all engagements involving justifiable use of force between security forces and terrorists,” they said.
Broadcasters in such situations will have to restrict themselves to reporting periodic briefing by designated officers, as per the new rule.
Officials said a new clause will be added in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 as per which TV channels will not carry content “which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate Government, till such operation concludes.”
When contacted I&B Secretary Bimal Julka confirmed that “an amendment in the rules has been incorporated in the Cable TV Networks Rules, as per the advice of the MHA.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier asked the I&B Ministry to ensure that security operations are not covered live by the media.
The officials said the I&B Ministry had earlier written to the MHA asking what should be the definition of the term “anti-terrorist operation” in order to make changes in the rules. It has been decided that “anti-terrorist operation” means “such operation undertaken to bring terrorists to justice, which includes all engagements involving justifiable use of force between security forces and terrorists,” they said.
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