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GOVERNMENT ADVISORY TO NEWS CHANNELS

25th April, 2022

Copyright infringement not intended

 

Context - The Union Government has released an advisory to private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines.

 

Details

  • The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has released an advisory to private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines.
  • The Ministry has stated that several private TV News channels have covered the events and incidents in a manner which appears to be unauthentic, misleading, sensational and using socially unacceptable language and statements, against decency, vulgar and defamatory and having communal overtones.
  • The advisory has particularly highlighted the concern related to the coverage of the Ukraine-Russian conflict and the incidence in North-West Delhi.

 

Regulation of Media in India

  • In India, Media is mostly self-regulated.
  • The Press Council of India (a statutory body) and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority issue standards and guidelines.
  • Press Council of India was established under the PCI Act of 1978 to maintain the freedom of the press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
    • The PCI consists of a chairman and 28 other members.
    • The Chairman is selected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and a member elected by the PCI.
  • The functions of the PCI;
    • Helping newspapers to maintain their independence.
    • Build a code of conduct for journalists and news agencies.
    • Help in maintaining “high standards of responsibility in Media working”.
  • The PCI has limited powers of enforcing the guidelines issued.
    • It cannot penalise newspapers, news agencies, editors and journalists for violation of the guidelines.
    • The PCI only overviews the functioning of press media.
    • It does not have the power to review the functioning of electronic media like radio, television and internet media.
  • Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
    • Program and Advertisement Codes for regulating content broadcast on television, are issued under the act.
    • The District magistrate can seize the equipment of the cable operator in case he broadcasts programs that violate these Codes.
  • Generally, news channels are governed by mechanisms of self-regulation. One such mechanism has been created by the News Broadcasters Association. 
    • The NBA has devised a Code of Ethics to regulate television content.
  • The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) is empowered to warn, criticise, censure, express disapproval and fine the broadcaster a sum up to Rs. 1 lakh for violation of the Code.

 

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1819243