GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 21st Nov. The government on Tuesday issued a warning to private television channels, asking them to avoid sensationalizing the coverage of the rescue efforts in Silkyara, Uttarakhand. In this incident, 41 workers have been trapped inside a tunnel for 10 days.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has released an advisory, instructing these channels to be sensitive in their reporting. This includes being mindful of the psychological state of the family members of the trapped workers when sharing headlines and videos related to the rescue operations.
“Telecast of video footage and other pictures relating to the operations by the TV channels specially by placing cameras and other equipment in close proximity of the rescue operations site have the potential to adversely affect the ongoing operations,” the advisory said.
It also advised the channels to refrain from sensationalizing the issue and from undertaking any live posts or videos from close proximity of the tunnel site where the rescue operations are underway.
The advisory further asked news channels to ensure that the human life saving activity by the various agencies was in no way disrupted or disturbed by the very presence of cameramen, reporters or equipment near or around the operations site.
“It is also advised to be cautious and sensitive while reporting on the matter especially in putting out headlines, videos & images and take due care of the sensitive nature of operation, psychological status of the family members and as well as the viewers in general,” the advisory said.