New Delhi: The intensity of criticism that the coverage of Mumbai terror strikes by the electronic media has come under could refresh the debate on the need for the imposition of content code and whether and how should content be regulated. In the wake of mounting criticism on TV coverage from various quarters, the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has shot off restraint letters on late Wednesday evening to all the news channels, Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and News Broadcasters Association (NBA) asking them to be cautious and use the power of media judiciously.
This is the second such letter in a week’s time and the ministry has asked the channels to show restraint in airing shocked public reactions, eyewitness accounts, multimedia reconstruction of events, disturbing images of blood and other gory scenes, said an official. However, the NBA constituted content self-regulatory body that started functioning since October this year is not planning any review of the concerned electronic coverage at the moment, said the NBA spokesperson when asked whether the self-regulatory body is planning to take suo motu cognisance and undertake a review. “The core body had met in mid-November and is scheduled to meet in January next. But the procedure entails that complainants have to go to the channels first, if they are dissatisfied with the channel’s action and response, then they could approach us,” said a NBA spokesperson.
While the Broadcasting Bill drafted by the government proposes a body—Broadcast Regulatory Authority of India to deliberate on content related issues, the industry has strongly opposed it, with NBA constituting a nine-member panel headed by former Chief Justice JS Verma to exercise self regulation.
Historian Ramachandra Guha, who was formerly a part of the eminent panel of NBA content self regulation but has exited subsequently citing personal reasons, said in his independent capacity, “One thing that the media should refrain from, is constructing and floating theories based on rumours and gut feelings, particularly those which push us towards an anti-Pakistan hysteria. If a section of boys shout slogans “go to war” and media replays it several times, it sends a wrong signal as if that is the sentiment of the majority in the country. Jingoism and display of primitive emotions should be avoided in media especially in cases where foreign identities are involved. Those who are propagating war on TV are not going to fight it themselves and don’t understand the ‘costs’ of a war”.
On Thursday, commenting on the role of media in a democracy, Condoleezza Rice addressed the issue of revealing sensitive information to the media which she said could then be used by terrorists. “The terrorists shouldn’t know what we know,” said Rice. The television coverage of Mumbai terror attacks has invited wrath of Mumbai home ministry, which reportedly is considering the option of imposing restrictions on live coverage during such emergency situations. The cable operators had also been asked to black out signals by the police during the coverage of the operation as it became clear through phone intercepts that terrorists were in touch with their partners and were informed about the nature of operation.
The Navy chief has also accused the media to have compromised intelligence in their overzealous attempt to outdo each other. Post 9/11, the American media and post 7/7, the media in UK were commended for showing retrain in not beaming disturbing images.
“The quality of content in electronic media is in urgent need of regulation,” the minister for state information and broadcasting (I&B), Anand Sharma had said on recently while addressing the Economic Editors’ Conference.
