The information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has cautioned television channels against broadcasting disturbing footage and distressing images, stating that it was a violation of the programme code that they are supposed to follow.
The ministry said in the last few months, news channels have grossly compromised on good taste and decency in a manner quite unpalatable to the eyes and ears of a common viewer.
The violations pointed out by the ministry included a telecast of “distressing images and videos” of a cricketer following an accident, referring to Rishabh Pant’s Road accident on the Delhi-Dehradun highway. The list also included “distressing gory images” of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who was killed last May.
The advisory concluded, “The manner of reporting such incidents is distasteful, heart wrenching, distressful, sensational, thereby offending good taste and decency. Such reporting has an adverse psychological impact on the children” It also urged news channels to report on issues like violence, crime, accidents and death in conformity with the programming code.
