New Delhi

TV channels reject government advisory

NEW DELHI: Television news broadcasters have unanimously rejected the Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry’s advisory on coverage of terrorism — particularly the Mumbai attacks and their aftermath — as “completely unacceptable”.

Meeting in the Capital a day after the advisory was issued to them late on Wednesday night, channel heads have now decided to approach the Prime Minister who presently holds charge of the Ministry. However, no official word was forthcoming from the News Broadcasters’ Association and the Indian Broadcasters’ Federation which together represent most news networks.

The Ministry had issued the advisory urging the TV channels to avoid repeat telecast of footage — particularly gory scenes — of the Mumbai terror attacks for fear that it would evoke strong sentiments among those affected and slow down the return of normality.

According to the advisory, “gory scenes should not be shown” and “tragedy should not be replayed”. The Ministry’s contention was that continued telecast of the footage would give further mileage to terrorists whose intention was to create a climate of fear.

According to it, news coverage on the attacks should show that India had not been demoralised. Further, the media should project the support the country had got from abroad in its fight against terror. Also, the Government wanted “politician-bashing” to stop, adding that channels should not highlight the anger but do follow-up reports highlighting the plight of families who had lost near and dear ones in the attacks.

A similar request was made to news channels last year at the peak of the Gujjar agitation, pointing out that repeated footage on the agitation without clarifying that it was a re-run would send across the impression that the situation was still far from normal when in effect normality was returning.

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