Broadcasters accept protocol for emergencies

Former Chief Justice J S Verma, who heads the News Broadcasting Standards Disputes Redressal Authority...

Former Chief Justice J S Verma, who heads the News Broadcasting Standards Disputes Redressal Authority, on Thursday announced the 8220;guidelines for telecast of news during emergency situations8221;. The guidelines are said to have been 8220;spontaneously accepted8221; by all 14 broadcasters running 22 news channels.

The guidelines stipulate that no 8216;live8217; contact can be made with perpetrators of the crime, their hostages/victims and security personnel involved during the course of the operation, no operational details can be made public during the course of action, avoiding unnecessary repeats of archival footage and broadcast of 8220;distressing visuals and graphics8221;.

Justice Verma, who heads the authority that formulated the guidelines, called for 8220;factually accurate and objective8221; information dissemination 8220;tested on the touchstone of public interest8221;.

8220;The judiciary and the media have become powerful organs. Once you become powerful, you must know your limits8230; self-regulation is far more effective and powerful as it is something you believe in and do voluntarily rather than be told to do so by someone else8230; we have framed some broad guidelines for the guidance of channels so that in such emergency, they know what to do and what not do,8221; he said.

While no specific penalty provisions for non-compliance of these guidelines were delineated by the authority today, Justice Verma said existing provisions and powers that the authority is vested with, will also apply here. The authority is empowered to admonish, warn, censure, express disapproval and/or impose a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh upon the broadcaster and/or recommend to the concerned authority for suspension/revocation of license of such a broadcaster and also take sou-motu cognizance of any breach of content guidelines besides acting on complaints.

Justice Verma also conceded that the Government does have rights within Article 192 of the Constitution to apply reasonable restriction on freedom of expression if necessary, but he added that self-regulation would work as a better system.