Showing displeasure at the live coverage of anti-terror operations in Kathua and Sambha on March 20, the Centre has shot a stern letter to all television channels asking them to adhere to the Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines and not to show any operations- linked information.
Showing displeasure at the live coverage of anti-terror operations in Kathua and Sambha on March 20, the Centre has shot a stern letter to all television channels asking them to adhere to the Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines and not to show any operations- linked information.
Despite receiving several advisories on broadcast guidelines restricting live coverage of anti-terror operations, many television channels had resorted to live coverage of terrorist attack in Kathua on March 20.
Replying to a query by the ministry of I & B, seeking definition of 'anti-terror operations' and 'counter-terror actions' terms last month, the union home ministry had suggested prohibiting telecast of anti-terror operations.
Maintaining a tough stand, the union home ministry had stated its position on the matter after the information and broadcasting ministry sought definition of terms 'anti-terror operations' and 'counter-terror actions'.
The union home ministry had sought suggestions from various security agencies and top officials, before conveying the ministry of I&B that live coverage of anti-terror operations would compromise various aspects of security and jeopardises the life of security personnel and innocent people in a hostage situation.
Reflecting the same sentiment, the I&B ministry circular dated March 20 sent to all television channels, national broadcasters association and Indian Broadcasters Foundation says, "All television channels are hereby advised in public interest to safeguard innocent lives, to ensure that no operation/s linked information reaches the terrorists and their handlers, an in the interest of national security, live coverage of counter terrorism operations by the security forces should not be telecast."
"The media coverage may be restricted to periodic briefings by an earmarked official till the operation concludes," the ministry added.
Sources said that the ministry is thinking of framing stricter broadcasting rules to this effect if the television channels do not follow the guidelines which may even include punishment clause.
Prohibition of live coverage of anti-terror operations was first broached during 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, as the live 24X7 coverage of 10 Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT) fidayeens movements had helped planners and executioners Karachi-based control room such as Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Abu al Qama and others to direct them with pin pointed accuracy to create mayhem at various places including Taj Mahal Hotel, Oberoi Trident hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Chabad House, Leopold Café and Metro cinema.
The 10 fidayeens, including Mohammad Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only one caught, got the instructions to move from one place to the other on satellite phones from their Karachi based bosses, who were continuously watching the live coverage of security operations on various Indian television channels.
Eager to score better TRP ratings over other channels, some had even established contact with the terrorists over phone that the terrorists used to their advantage by propagating anti-India views.
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