Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101060311600.htm

National

I&B advisory to news channels

Anita Joshua

NEW DELHI: The Union Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has asked the Indian Broadcasting Foundation and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) to direct their member channels not to telecast content that may endanger lives. The advisory was issued on Wednesday on a request from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

The immediate cause for this advisory is the repeated telecast of an interview of Rahul, the 12-year-old balloon seller who is a key witness of the blast at Connaught Place in New Delhi on September 13. Objecting to the telecast, the NCPCR had written to the Ministry seeking its intervention.

The NCPCR found the media to be insensitive and negligent. The Commission’s contention is that it endangered the life of the boy who had no one to protect or advise him about the serious consequences of exposing himself on television in this manner.

Further, according to the NCPCR, the media exhibited recklessness in its coverage of the story. Instead of concern for the security of the child, they allowed his identity to be revealed to the entire nation in their attempt to encash on the tragedy, a release issued by the I&B Ministry quoted the NCPCR as stating in its letter.