Centre bars live media coverage of defence operations | India News

NEW DELHI: Citing previous incidents – Kargil War, 26/11 assault and Kandahar hijacking – the place media coverage severely impacted safety operations, Centre on Saturday issued a robust advisory to media retailers, urging them to chorus from live coverage of defence operations and troop actions. With tensions escalating following the Pahalgam assault, I&B ministry’s advisory warned that real-time reporting might “inadvertently assist hostile elements” & endanger nationwide safety. tnn
Advisory indicators rising concern over fast-paced, unregulated movement of data
The Union authorities mentioned: “In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies, and social media users are advised to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security-related operations.”
Government particularly barred “real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on ‘sources-based’ information related to defence operations or movement”, emphasising that untimely disclosure of delicate particulars might compromise operational success and put personnel in danger.
Saturday’s advisory indicators rising concern over the fast-paced, unregulated movement of data within the present media ecosystem – particularly on digital and social media platforms, the place battlefield visuals and operational updates usually floor earlier than official confirmations.
According to senior officers, there are a number of authorized provisions which already regulate delicate reporting, together with the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act and provisions below the Disaster Management Act and “the advisory subtly warned that violations could attract action”.
Security consultants say the transfer was inevitable after pictures, movies and speculative reviews flooded information channels and social media following the Pahalgam assault, with some inadvertently revealing motion of reinforcements and counter-terror preparations.
Though the advisory stops quick of imposing a whole ban on defence reporting, it underlines that the media should steadiness public curiosity with operational sensitivity. “Utmost responsibility” is the important thing, govt mentioned, in an environment the place any careless dissemination might be weaponised by adversaries.