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This is an archive article published on September 21, 2023

India-Canada row: Don’t give space to persons with terror links, Govt advisory to TV channels

If a TV programme is not in conformity with the prescribed code, the government may regulate or prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of such programmes.

India-Canada row: Govt issues advisory to TV channelsThe advisory has been issued in light of a recent discussion on a television channel of a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime including terrorism.
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India-Canada row: Don’t give space to persons with terror links, Govt advisory to TV channels
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In the wake of India-Canada diplomatic row over Khalistani extremism, the government has now issued an advisory to television channels to not offer a platform to persons against whom there are charges of terrorism or those belonging to proscribed organisations.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the

advisory late Thursday evening. The advisory has been issued in light of a recent discussion on a television channel of a person from a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime, including terrorism, belonging to an organisation proscribed by law in India, officials said.

On Wednesday, a news channel (ABP News) aired a 20-minute interview with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who was designated a terrorist by India in 2020, and is facing 22 criminal cases, including three of sedition, in Punjab.

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Pannun, the leader of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has issued threats to Canadian Hindus and asked them to leave Canada, saying they are working against the interest of the country.

The Khalistani terrorist, who is wanted in India, also heaped praises on pro-Khalistan Sikhs of Canada saying that they have always been loyal to Canada and upheld the country’s laws and constitution.

During the discussion, the person had made several comments which are detrimental to the sovereignty/integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also have the potential of disturbing public order in the country, official sources said.

The ministry has categorically stated that the government upholds media freedom and respects its rights under the Constitution, but at the same time, the content telecast by TV channels must adhere to the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 including sub section (2) of Section 20.

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The said section grants the Centre the power to prohibit operation of cable television networks in public interest.

If a TV programme is not in conformity with the prescribed code, the government may regulate or prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of such programmes.

Divya A reports on travel, tourism, culture and social issues - not necessarily in that order - for The Indian Express. She's been a journalist for over a decade now, working with Khaleej Times and The Times of India, before settling down at Express. Besides writing/ editing news reports, she indulges her pen to write short stories. As Sanskriti Prabha Dutt Fellow for Excellence in Journalism, she is researching on the lives of the children of sex workers in India. ... Read More

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