MIB issues advisory to media about coverage of Ram Mandir inauguration

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued an advisory to the media covering the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

 

Addressed to newspapers registered under Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, private satellite television channels, publishers of news and current affairs content on digital media and social media platforms, the advisory asks the above to maintain adherence to the applicable norms and regulations applicable to the media, especially in matters related to public order, factual accuracy of information being published/broadcast, and communal harmony among various religious communities of India.

 

The note states that certain unverified, provocative and fake messages are being spread, especially on social media, which can disturb communal harmony and public order. In this regard, attention is invited to following provisions of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978. 

 

Norms of journalistic conduct 

 

Accuracy and fairness: The press shall eschew publication of inaccurate, baseless, graceless, misleading or distorted material. 

 

Caste, religion or community references: It is the duty of the newspaper to ensure that the tone, spirit and language of a write up is not objectionable, provocative, against the unity and integrity of the country, spirit of the constitution, seditious and inflammatory in nature or designed to promote communal disharmony. 

 

Paramount national interest: Newspapers shall, as a matter of self-regulation, exercise due restraint and caution in presenting any news, comment or information which is likely to jeopardise, endanger or harm the paramount interests of the state and society, or the rights of individuals with respect to which reasonable restrictions may be imposed by law on the right to freedom of speech and expression under clause (2) of Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

 

Programme code

 

No programme should be carried in the cable service which contains attack on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes; contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half truths; is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promote anti-national attitudes.