Ensure Compliance With Programme Codes: MIB Tells Private TV Channels [Read Statement]

The request comes days after the self-regulatory body, News Broadcasting Standards Authority, found some national news channels guilty of insensitive reporting and sensationalizing the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

"While it is the duty of the news channel to report news, which may be in public interest and the persons being reported upon may get justice from such media reports, it is equally important to present the news in a manner which does not violate the privacy of the dead nor sensationalise a tragic incident. It is important that the dead must not be subjected to unnecessary media glare," NBSA had remarked.

Insensitive Reporting On Sushant Singh Rajput's Death: NBSA Imposes Rupees One Lakh Fine On AajTak, Asks Zee News, India TV And News24 To Apologize

"On various occasions in the past, this Ministry has issued advisories to private satellite TV channels to broadcast content Strictly adhereing to the Programme an Advertising Codes as prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder," the Ministry said.

Attention is also drawn to the following provisions of the Programme Code which provide that no programme should contain:

Rule 6(1)(d): anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half truths

Rule 6(1)(i): criticizes, maligns or slander any individual in person or certain groups, segments of Social, public and moral life of the country.

Further, the Ministry has drawn the TV channels' attention towards a recent order of the Delhi High Court, in Rakul Preet Singh v. Union of India & Ors., asking them to exercise "restraint" in their reporting and abide by the provisions of the Programme Code as also the various Guidelines, both statutory and self-regulatory, while making any report in relation to the actress.

'Media Should Exercise Restraint, Follow Programme Code', Delhi HC Directs In Rakul Preet Singh's Plea Against Broadcasting Of Maligning Campaign Against Her

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