Nation comes before TRPs: House panel
The Parliamentary Committee on Petitions of the Rajya Sabha has called for statutory regulations on both print and electronic media “in the larger interest of society”.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: In an atmosphere where concerns have been expressed on the media���s coverage of sensitive operations like the recent ���Operation Black Tornado��� during the terror strikes in Mumbai, the Parliamentary Committee on Petitions of the Rajya Sabha has called for statutory regulations on both print and electronic media ���in the larger interest of society���.
Referring to the 60-hour live telecast of Operation Black Tornado, the committee noted that it ���apprehends that the live footage shown by TV channels to viewers could also have been used by the perpetrators sitting far away from the place of incident, who allegedly guided the attackers.���
The report stated that the live feed of commandos being air dropped ���directly endangers��� the success of operations and safety of hostages as well as security forces. ���The committee expects the media to treat information of sensitive nature carefully and make an endeavour to ensure interest of nation and lives of security forces and hostages in such type of operations is not jeopardised by live telecasting.���
The report observes that the live coverage was partially restricted later because of ���some good sense prevailing with suitable advisories���. The committee added: ���Needless to mention, self-regulation by media otherwise was not in place.
The committee expects the media to treat information of sensitive nature carefully and endeavour to ensure that the interest of nation and lives of security forces and hostages in such type of operation is not jeopardised by live telecast.���
While the committee felt that self-regulation was an ideal situation, it may not be effective way to regulate the media, particularly given the growing competition amongst the channels for supremacy in the business of ratings. In view of the ���general public importance��� of the petition regarding the violation of basic human rights by the media, the committee urged the government to submit an action taken report within six months.
Suggesting that the regulatory framework could be modelled along the lines of the Press Council of India, the committee, however, is of the view that it should be vested with more powers. Referring to the government���s proposal to put in place the Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India and a new Content Code, the committee said it expects the government to address all the issues raised by it while going ahead with the proposed legislation.
Referring to the 60-hour live telecast of Operation Black Tornado, the committee noted that it ���apprehends that the live footage shown by TV channels to viewers could also have been used by the perpetrators sitting far away from the place of incident, who allegedly guided the attackers.���
The report stated that the live feed of commandos being air dropped ���directly endangers��� the success of operations and safety of hostages as well as security forces. ���The committee expects the media to treat information of sensitive nature carefully and make an endeavour to ensure interest of nation and lives of security forces and hostages in such type of operations is not jeopardised by live telecasting.���
The report observes that the live coverage was partially restricted later because of ���some good sense prevailing with suitable advisories���. The committee added: ���Needless to mention, self-regulation by media otherwise was not in place.
The committee expects the media to treat information of sensitive nature carefully and endeavour to ensure that the interest of nation and lives of security forces and hostages in such type of operation is not jeopardised by live telecast.���
While the committee felt that self-regulation was an ideal situation, it may not be effective way to regulate the media, particularly given the growing competition amongst the channels for supremacy in the business of ratings. In view of the ���general public importance��� of the petition regarding the violation of basic human rights by the media, the committee urged the government to submit an action taken report within six months.
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Suggesting that the regulatory framework could be modelled along the lines of the Press Council of India, the committee, however, is of the view that it should be vested with more powers. Referring to the government���s proposal to put in place the Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India and a new Content Code, the committee said it expects the government to address all the issues raised by it while going ahead with the proposed legislation.
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