I038;B plans media guidelines for 145;emergencies146;

While the ministry has already shot off a showcause notice to India TV for airing a conversation between two terrorists and is considering serious action against the channel, it is also learnt that similar notices have been despatched to a couple of other prominent news channels, under the Cable TV Networks Regulation Act8217;s Programming Code. Incidentally, Television Audience Measurement TAM data ratings of news channels jumped up substantially during the Mumbai terror attacks.

The Centre is of the view that the minute-by-minute coverage of the Mumbai attacks had exposed the NSG commandos to 8220;grave risk8221; while security operations were on. So much so that security agencies are learnt to have submitted in writing that commando operations were hampered due to the live media coverage. In addition, says the ministry, the media showed great insensitivity by cornering even injured people in ambulances to get sound bytes.

Sources also said that there was a need to put more 8220;systems in place8221;, just as was done post-9/11 in New York and the London bombings. Following those incidents, the Government and media collaborated to frame a set of strict guidelines for coverage of 8216;emergency situations8217;. The same was conveyed to broadcasters at a meeting that the I038;B ministry held with them on Wednesday. The ministry also issued an advisory to 42 broadcasters who run 200 news channels on Wednesday, asking them to exercise 8220;restraint8221; and and not to replay 8220;gory8221; visuals that could demoralise viewers.

8220;News coverage pertaining to the event should project that India is not demoralised and has risen despite all terrorist attacksiquest; it should project that India is a global power that has full support of the international community. Gory scenes should not be shown, tragedy should not be replayediquest; media has a great role to play to ensure return of normalcy,8221; the I038;B advisory reads.

The I038;B ministry has long been proposing a Broadcasting Bill and Content Code for broadcasters but it was rejected by the latter for fear of government interference. Some broadcasters formed the News Broadcasters Association NBA last year and it came up with its own self-regulatory code.

However, the Supreme Court has recently ordered that it was not sufficient and the I038;B ministry must come up with a set of regulations for the media. The ministry has now constituted an inter-ministerial committee for the purpose.