The Information & Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has issued an advisory to TV news channels asking them to refrain from repeated telecast of the Mumbai attacks citing national interest.
The advisory comes close on the heels of the I&B Ministry summoning the news media owners along with the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) and News Broadcasting Association (NBA) Chiefs on November 28.
The advisory, sent to the IBF and the NBA, besides all news and current affairs channels, says that since the carnage was over, replays of those tragic moments "defiles the dignity of the dead and could disturb viewers emotionally."
The I&B Ministry in its advisory dated December 3, 2008, states: "Repeated visuals and stories pertaining to the attack, which would make the perpetrators feel their attack was a success, should be avoided. The media is hereby advised to play the positive role it has in its power to play to instill confidence in the citizens and send a message to the inimical terrorist forces that India is not in disarray."
The ministry has commended the positive role played by channels and asked for "immediate correction through self-regulation." The present coverage of the Mumbai attacks gave the impression that the terrorists have left the country in a disarray.
The advisory goes on to warn: "The media is also advised that continued unbalanced reporting, which inhabits the restoration of normalcy and propagates a feeling of insecurity, may be treated as coverage against the interest of the nation in the circumstances and attract appropriate action as per rules and as per the terms and conditions of the permission granted for uplinking and downlinking of TV channels in India."
"It would be a great morale booster for those behind the attacks to see the mayhem that they have caused if the channels are anything to go by. The ministry is of the view that there must be some restrain in reporting," an senior I&B ministry official explains.
The ministry's view is that continued unbalanced reporting can be avoided. The note, though an advisory in nature, is likely not be taken lightly by news channels which did cooperate with the government in showing deferred live reportage of the rescue operation.
