Shocking that NDTV has been singled out: Channel reacts to MIB order

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has imposed a 24-hour ban on Hindi news channel NDTV starting from the midnight of November 9, 2016 for revealing sensitive information while covering the terror attack on Pathankot airbase in January this year.

As per the MIB order, this information “could have been readily picked up by terrorist handlers” and jeopardised the operations carried out by the Indian security forces. This is the first time that such a ban order has been given by the Ministry against a television channel over terror coverage.

Meanwhile, in an official statement issued, NDTV said, “The order of the MIB has been received. It is shocking that NDTV has been singled out in this manner. Every channel and newspaper had similar coverage. In fact NDTV's coverage was particularly balanced. After the dark days of the emergency when the press was fettered, it is extraordinary that NDTV is being proceeded against in this manner. NDTV is examining all options in this matter.”

It may be recalled that the clause in the programme code, introduced by the MIB in June 2015, prohibits channels from airing live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, “wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate government till such operation concludes”.

A section of the media, meanwhile, has spoken out for NDTV.

Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor with the India Today Group, tweeted: “One of India’s most sober and responsible channels NDTV India to be banned for a day by I and B ministry. NDTV today, who tomorrow?”

Shekhar Gupta, Founder of the media start-up, ThePrint, tweeted, “What’s shocking is lack of protest/outrage. Reprehensible, somebody in Ind having power to ban news channels as in Pak. Tom, it’ll be print”.

Rahul Kanwal, Managing Editor, India Today (TV) and Aaj Tak, tweeted, “Govt pulling TV news channels off air is a dangerous trend. Don’t want sarkari babus deciding what content they like and what they don’t.”