I&B Ministry advises media to chorus from reside protection of defence operations

Ministry of Data and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to all media channels to chorus from displaying reside protection of defence operations and motion of safety forces within the curiosity of nationwide safety.
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The Union Ministry of Data and Broadcasting (I&B) on Saturday (April 26, 2025) issued an advisory asking all media channels to chorus from reside protection of defence operations, and the motion of safety forces.

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“Within the curiosity of nationwide safety, all media platforms, information companies, and social media customers are suggested to train utmost duty and cling strictly to present legal guidelines and laws whereas reporting on issues regarding defence and different security-related operations,” the Ministry mentioned.

The advisory, which got here amid experiences of the federal government’s plans to hold out main anti-terrorist operations within the wake of the Pahalgam terror assault in Jammu & Kashmir, cautioned particularly towards real-time protection, dissemination of visuals, or reporting from “sources-based” data associated to defence operations or motion.

“Untimely disclosure of delicate data might inadvertently help hostile components and endanger operational effectiveness and the security of personnel,” it mentioned, including that previous incidents had underscored the significance of “accountable reporting”.

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The Ministry mentioned that in some occasions, together with the Kargil conflict, the 26/11 Mumbai terror assaults, and the Kandahar hijacking, unrestricted protection had resulted in “unintended adversarial” penalties on nationwide pursuits.

“Media digital platforms, and people play an important position in safeguarding nationwide safety. Aside from the authorized obligations, it’s a shared ethical duty to make sure that our collective actions don’t compromise ongoing operations or the safety of our forces,” the advisory mentioned.

On a number of events previously, the Ministry has issued advisories to all of the TV channels to stick to Rule 6(1)(p) of Cable Tv Networks (Modification) Guidelines, 2021.

It Rule 6(1)(p) states: “No programme ought to be carried within the cable service which incorporates reside protection of any anti-terrorist operation by safety forces, whereby media protection shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the suitable Authorities, until such operation concludes.”

“Subsequently, all TV channels are suggested to be cautious of reside protection of counter-terrorist operations by safety forces within the curiosity of nationwide safety. Media protection could also be restricted to periodic briefings by an officer designated by the suitable authorities until such an operation concludes,” the I&B Ministry mentioned.