New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to private television channels, warning them not to air anti-national views as news and to strictly follow the legal framework governing broadcast content.
The ministry said it has noticed instances where provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 were not being complied with by several private broadcasters. It also flagged that multiple channels carried similar stories and visuals under identical headlines.
The advisory asked channels to be especially careful while covering anti-terror operations, violent visuals, live telecasts of crime incidents, natural disasters, use of India’s authentic maps, communal harmony, and the disclosure of identities of survivors of sexual assault.
Broadcasters were told to ensure their content does not encourage or provoke communal or anti-national attitudes. The ministry said AI tools may be used as long as they do not compromise the accuracy and authenticity of news.
It also called for awareness and training for staff involved in news gathering, editing, production and telecast, and urged channels to strengthen internal review mechanisms. Violations could invite action under the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995, the ministry warned.
