New Delhi: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has issued a comprehensive advisory to all private satellite television channels, urging them to exercise extreme caution and responsibility while covering the recent Red Fort car bomb blast. The directive comes after the Ministry observed that certain broadcasters had aired sensitive material that could pose serious risks to public safety and national security.
According to the Ministry, some news channels were found telecasting content that appeared to justify the actions of individuals suspected in the blast case, along with information that could indirectly explain or demonstrate ways to create explosive devices. The Ministry stressed that such broadcasts, even if unintentional, have the potential to encourage violence, disrupt public order, and enable unlawful activities.
In its advisory, the Ministry reminded broadcasters of their legal obligations under the Programme and Advertising Code, as prescribed in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. The rules clearly prohibit the airing of any content that is obscene, defamatory, deliberately misleading, or harmful to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the nation.
The Ministry emphasised that media outlets must handle coverage of terror-related incidents with utmost sensitivity, ensuring that reporting does not glorify violence, provide operational details of criminal acts, or disseminate visuals that could assist extremists or disrupt communal harmony.
Television channels have been explicitly advised to avoid telecasting imagery, graphics, reconstructions, or commentary that could in any way aid, abet, or promote unlawful or violent behaviour. The Ministry has also urged editors and newsroom managers to strengthen internal editorial filters to prevent the broadcast of any content that violates legal norms or endangers public welfare.
Reinforcing the critical role of responsible journalism, the Ministry said it expects broadcasters to prioritise accuracy, restraint, and national security considerations while covering sensitive investigations such as the Red Fort blast.
