NEW DELHI: The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has warned commercial news channels against live telecasts of security forces’ anti-terror operations.
The ministry sent out the warning in response to what it described as “extensive TV coverage” of two counterterrorism operations in Kathua and Doda by some news outlets.
“Such telecast is in violation of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, and liable for action thereunder. Therefore, all TV channels are advised not to telecast live coverage of anti-terrorist operations by the security forces in the interest of national security and to safeguard innocent lives. Media coverage may be restricted to periodic briefings by an officer designated by the appropriate government until the operation concludes,” it said.
“Rule 6(1)(p) states that no programme should be carried in the cable service that contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces,” the advisory from the ministry clarified.
A CRPF jawan was killed and six security officers were injured during two confrontations with militants in Jammu’s Kathua and Doda districts. In Doda, five Rashtriya Rifles troops and a special police officer were injured when terrorists attacked a joint checkpoint in the high reaches of Chattergalla on the Bhaderwah-Pathankot road. CRPF jawan Kabir Dass was gravely injured in a shooting by a terrorist holed up in Kathua district’s Saida Sukhal village on Wednesday. He later succumbed to his injuries.
