My India Today

Live coverage by irresponsible Indian media guided the attackers to take appropriate emergent measures against the positions of security forces through satellite/mobile phones.

Such live feed of commandos being airdropped directly endangered the success of operations and the safety of hostages as well as security forces.

Amid demands for reining in the media — particularly during security operations such as the one during the recent Mumbai terror attack — the Committee on Petitions of the Rajya Sabha has called for statutory regulations on both the print and electronic media “in the larger interest of society.”

In its 132nd report — tabled on Friday — the Committee said that while self-regulation was an ideal situation, it might not be effective in regulating the media; particularly in the scenario of growing competition amongst the channels for supremacy in the business of ratings. In view of the “general public importance” of the petition regarding the violation of basic human rights by the media, the Committee urged the government to submit an action taken report within six months.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the News Broadcasting Authority (NBA), along with representatives of some of the news channels, had a meeting on December 11 to discuss the recent coverage of the Mumbai terror attacks.

It maybe noted that the news coverage over those few days, including the airing of a tele-conversation with terrorists, the minute-by-minute live coverage of operations and the haste with which relatives of victims were interviewed have all come under criticism.

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