By IANS,
New Delhi : Amid a controversy over the TV coverage of the Sept 13 blasts in New Delhi, the information and broadcasting ministry has issued an advisory to broadcasters against telecasting any news item that may expose an individual to life-threatening risk.
The ministry Wednesday issued the advisory to the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) and News Broadcasters Association (NBA) to direct their member channels not to telecast any news item which may endanger the life of a person.
The advisory has been issued after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) wrote to the ministry about its “serious objections” to the repeated telecast of an interview with a balloon seller, Rahul, a key witness to September 13, 2008, blast at Connaught Place in the city that killed 24 people and left over 100 injured.
The NCPCR has accused TV channels of “encashing” on the tragic blasts by “exhibiting reckless behaviour” rather than showing concern for the safety of the child.
In its letter, the NCPCR has said that it found the act of the media to be “insensitive and negligent”, thus endangering the life of Rahul, a 12-year old, with no one to protect or advise him of the serious consequences.