Government Issues Advisory Against Live Coverage of Defence Operations

New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has come out with a new advisory calling for all media channels, news channels, news agencies, and internet users to stop giving live telecasts of defence operations and movements of security forces.

Mentioning national security as a matter of concern, the Centre noted that premature and unauthorised release of sensitive information might lower operational effectiveness and put lives at risk of ground personnel. Specifically warning against live transmission of footage and "sources-based" coverage during ongoing defence and security operations, the advisory was issued on Friday.

The government quoted the key events of the past, such as the Kargil War, the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking, as the occasions when unbridled media coverage could have had negative effects. It mentioned that the coverage would help elements inimical to the nation and could hinder the success of crucial operations.

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"All actors have to act responsibly," the advisory said, calling on the media to follow existing laws and regulations in covering sensitive national security issues. It also reminded the media of its ethical responsibility not to compromise the security agents' safety or the integrity of operations while reporting. The advisory also reaffirmed directions already issued under Rule 6(1)(p) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, prohibiting the live broadcast of anti-terrorist operations. The rule states that only information supplied by authorized government officials shall be broadcast until such operations are over.

The government has therefore summoned all media houses to put national interest first and exercise caution while dealing with reporting on sensitive security-related incidents.