New Delhi:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday gave all the media outlets a advisory instructions, which directs all media outlets to avoid broadcast of live coverage of military operations or security forces.
Advisory extends to news agencies, digital platforms and social media users, which emphasizes the need for extreme caution and responsibility in reporting cases related to national security.
The ministry said in a statement, “In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies and social media users are advised to use the existing laws and rules strictly, using responsibility completely and reporting on matters related to defense and other security-related operations.”
The government specifically used the “source-based” information related to the real-time spread of the scenes, live reporting from sensitive places and ongoing military functions.
This warned that premature disclosure of sensitive operating details can inadvertently aid hostile elements, endangered the effectiveness of both missions and the safety of the personnel involved.
Citing previous experiences such as Kargil conflict, 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and Kandahar kidnapping, the advisor underlined how unrestricted media coverage affected unexpected results for national interests in the past time of crisis.
The ministry insisted that media, digital platforms and individual users play an important role in maintaining national security.
The statement said, “Beyond legal obligations, it is a shared moral duty to ensure that collective action does not compromise on the integrity of running operations or endanger the lives of security forces.”
This advisory reiterates the communication before the Ministry, reminding the broadcasters of Rule 6 (1) (P) of the cable television network (amendment) rules, 2021. The rules clearly states: “No program should be done in cable service, in which no one will be facilitated by security forces for any kind of terrorist operation, which will be restricted for operations from time to time.
The ministry warned that violations of these provisions may attract strict action under the applicable laws.
“All TV channels are advised not to broadcast the movement of security forces in the interest of live coverage or national security of anti -terrorism operations,” the advisor repeated.
(Except for the headline, the story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is published by a syndicated feed.)
