MIB advises private satellite TV channels to adhere to provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) yesterday issued an advisory to private satellite TV channels advising them to adhere to the provisions of the Cable Televisions Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, in light of the reporting on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the recent incident in North-West Delhi and of certain news debates.

The Ministry, in its advisory, noted that private satellite TV channels were reporting incidents in sensational, unauthentic, sensational, and socially unacceptable language, which appear to be violative of the Programme Code.

In the Russia-Ukraine conflict reporting, the Ministry pointed out the use of scandalous headlines, false claims and frequent misquoting of international agencies, and fabricated and hyperbolic statements meant to incite the audience.

In reporting the recent incident in North-West Delhi, the Ministry pointed out the use of provocative headlines and videos of violence, playing of scandalous and unverified CCTV footage, fabricated headlines giving communal colours, and showing footage of a specific community, thus aggravating communal tensions.

The Ministry has issued advisories to private satellite TV channels to adhere to the uplinking and downlinking guidelines. The Cable Televisions Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 empowers the Central Government to regulate or prohibit the transmission or retransmission of any channel or programme in the interest of integrity or sovereignty of India, security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign state, and public order, decency, or morality.

The Act also enables the Central Government to prohibit transmission or retransmission of a programme not found in conformity with the Programme Code.