Insta
After NDTV India, Assam-Based Channel To Be Taken Off Air For Violating Programming Guidelines
Swarajya Staff
Nov 06, 2016, 02:08 PM | Updated 02:08 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
After the government order of a day-long ban on NDTV India, the central government has ordered an Assam-based news channel, News Time Assam, to go off air for a day on 9 November for violating programming norms. The Information and Broadcasting ministry order dated 2 November said the channel may be taken off air for one day.
It was alleged by the Child Welfare Committee that this channel telecast a clear video clipping of a male child aged about 7 years who was reported to have been brutally tortured while working as a domestic servant at the residence of a government servant.
News Time Assam disclosed the identity of the minor by revealing his name and clearly showing his face. “Revelation of identity could scar the child for life,” the order said, adding, “The channel showed the visuals of the minor child repeatedly. Owing to physical harm and cruelty, the child appeared to be emotionally traumatised. These visuals not only appeared to compromise the privacy and dignity of the child, he was also exposed to harm and stigma.”
The Inter Ministerial Committee noted that the channel cannot escape from its responsibility by merely apologising for the error, especially when the channel carried content which could cause immense harm to the child and denigrate him.
Based on the material on record and the submission of channel’s representatives, the IMC opined that the channel had violated the programme code and that it should have exercised caution and care while telecasting a child-related programme. Therefore, the IMC recommended that the channel may be taken off air for one day.
NDTV India has also been ordered off air on the same day over its coverage of the Pathankot terror attack. It is said to have violated programming guidelines by broadcasting sensitive information about the location of areas populated by Army families, presence of air force assets and equipment and proximity from an ammunition dump.
(With inputs from IANS)
Get Swarajya in your inbox.
Magazine
