Government likely to issue issue another advisory to TV channels on terror coverage

NEW DELHI: Concerned by violations during coverage of terror operations, the I&B ministry is likely to issue another advisory to TV channels asking them not to divulge operational details. "While monitoring of coverage related to Gurdaspur terror operations we found that many TV channels were reporting details like reinforcements sent, where the paramilitary men or police are positioned or what arms were being brought. This is against national interest," a source said indicating that another advisory could be issued at a later stage.

The I&B ministry had amended the Cable TV Network Rules in March to ban coverage of anti-terror operations and restrict them to official briefings. During the Gurdaspur gun battle, the ministry issued an advisory to channels askingto refrain from terror operations coverage.

The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) has opposed the new amendments saying that it limited media coverage. In a statement BEA said, "While the BEA does not believe in live visual coverage of terror incidents, it does believe that media coverage can't be restricted to official briefings. However, there are self-regulatory guidelines regarding coverage of terror incidents which this body strictly adheres to."