Click to play videoNew Delhi: The government's proposed amendments to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act have been drawn against the backdrop of the 26/11 attacks.
While the media has put in place a method of self regulation after it came in for cristicism over the coverage of the 26/11 terror, the government wants still more reining in specially while covering anti-terror operations.
The act now monitors Stories on sex, crimes, footahe of narco-analysis admissions and others.
According to the act:
- District Magistrates and Sub-divisional Magistrates besides Commissioners of police will have the power to block live transmission by any channel and confiscate transmission equipment.
- Visuals and footage will be provided through a nodal agency in any such situation deemed "nationally important”
- Television channels will therefore not be able to effectively cover communal riots and even agitations like the Gujjar Andolan.
- Officers will have the power to decide whether repeat telecast of a footage is necessary (and thereby in the national interest) or not.
- They will also decided if any information is unauthenticated and should therefore be blocked.
- Decisions regarding the nature of phone-in of reporters and victims or their interviews and if these disturb public order, will also rest with these officers.
- They will also decided if such phone-ins and interviews are against national interest.
Editors feel that the existing laws already arm the government with substantial powers to legally act against channels violating the licensing agreements. The amendments are almost a throwback to the Emergency era and the worst possible assault on the Fourth Estate.
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