[Delhi Riots Reporting] Govt. Prohibits Transmission Of Media One TV And Asianet News TV For 48 Hours [Read Orders]

As per the order issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the reports telecasted by the two channels on February 25, 2020 in relation to the North-East Delhi violence were shown in a manner which highlighted the attack on places of worship and sided towards a particular community.

This is said to be in clear contravention to the advisory issued by the Ministry on February 25, advising the channels to strictly abide by the Programme Code of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The order passed against Media One said the channel's reporting seemed to be "biased" as it "deliberately focused on the vandalism of the CAA [Citizenship Amendment Act] supporters". "It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction," the order said. "Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS".

Citing the remarks made by the anchor/correspondent during the program, the govt. said,

"Such telecast could incite violence and pose danger to maintenance of law and order situation, particularly when the situation is already highly volatile and charged up and riots are taking place in the area with reports of killings and bloodbath…"

The Ministry had issued show cause notices to both the channels on February 28, asking them why action as per the provisions of Uplinking/Downlinking Guidelines, the terms and conditions of the permission granted and the provisions of Section 20 of the Cable Act should not be taken against them.

Being dissatisfied with their replies received by the Ministry on Tuesday, March 3, the govt. issued prohibition orders today stating that,

"While reporting such critical incident, the channels (Asianet News TV and Media One TV) should have taken utmost care and should have reported it in a balanced way. Such reporting could enhance the communal disharmony across the country when the situation is highly volatile. The Ministry has time and again issued Advisories to all News Channels to comply by the provisions of the rules. Due care and responsibility is expected while reporting news based on such incidents. However, it is abundantly clear that the channel has not adhered to the Programme codes and has shown irresponsibility by not fully complying to them. The Ministry has come to the conclusion that Asianet News TV and Media One TV channel had violated Rule 6 (1) (c)& (e) of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the rules framed thereunder by telecasting said news regarding the North East Delhi violence"

The prohibition was imposed with effect from 7.30 PM today, i.e. March 6, 2020 and it will operate until 7.30 PM on March 8, 2020.

Read Orders