Once again the role of media in covering the terror attack is being scrutinized post Pathankot terror attack. Some of the security experts alleged that non-stop coverage of terror incident helps terrorist and their handlers. In social media people demanded for banning of NDTV alleging that channel aired crucial information which has potential to aid the terrorists. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore issued a statement saying coverage of anti-terrorist operations by news channels must be as per the Cable TV Act, 1995 and advisories issued by the Ministry.
His remarks came in the backdrop of reporting of the anti terrorist operations by some news channels during Pathankot airbase attack. This is not for the first time that Indian media has been under scanner for covering of terror incident. In the year 2008 when deadly gang of terrorists went on rampage killing scores of people at Mumbai, the Indian media found itself in the firing line, not just of the killers but also of the authorities, for its reportage of the attack. It was alleged that the non-stop coverage of incident, provided vital information to the Pakistani handlers. By using information sourced from continous media coverage, the Pakistani handlers kept on issuing instruction to Ajmal Kasab and his gang. At that time due to the scathing criticisms of media coverage of the Mumbai attack, the News Broadcasters Association decided to unveil self regulatory guidelines for telecast of sensitive events. However no one knows, what is fate of that self regulatory guidelines adopted by the association? Definitely there are laws as mentioned by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore but news channel should also introspect and try correcting themselves. While reporting any terror incident they should yield extra caution and don’t air sensitive information. Their reporting should in no way help the terrorists.
Saturday, November 23, 2024