Tamil Nadu floods: I&B asks broadcasters to give more coverage to vital

In view of floods in Tamil Nadu, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has asked all private broadcasters to enhance efforts at disseminating vital information related to the disaster on real-time basis. In a letter to various television and radio broadcasters, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) R Jaya said that many agencies, including All India Radio and Doordarshan, have been disseminating vital information related to weather warnings, helplines, contact numbers of personnel, and on the ground situation in the flood-affected areas.

Private television channels and other broadcasting media have also been communicating such information. Yet, it is found necessary to enhance the efforts at informing the public on vital matters concerning the situation so as to assist them in seeking and finding help whenever and wherever required.

Considering the gravity of the situation, the need for dissemination of critical and vital information regarding all aspects of the disaster on real-time basis has become all the more imperative, she said. "Now, therefore, it is requested that relevant and vital information which is of immediate requirement to the general public, as brought out by the concerned Government agencies, may kindly be telecast/broadcast by all concerned," she said.