The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Wednesday issued an advisory to private satellite television channels over instances of non-compliance with the Programme Code, warning that violations could invite regulatory action.
The ministry also cautioned broadcasters against the indiscriminate use of artificial intelligence, including generative AI, in news graphics, virtual presentations and other programmes, stressing that technological tools must not compromise the accuracy, authenticity or sensitivity of news content.
The advisory follows observations by an inter-departmental committee that certain telecasts were not in conformity with the spirit of the Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.
๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐
The ministry advised television channels to exercise particular caution while deploying AI-based technologies for generating graphics, virtual news presentations and other broadcast material.
It said such tools should be used primarily in an assistive capacity and must not undermine the credibility or factual accuracy of news coverage.
The advisory emphasised the responsibility of broadcasters to ensure that AI-generated or AI-assisted content does not mislead viewers or distort the presentation of events.
๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ฏ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐น๐ฎ๐บ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐
The inter-departmental committee noted instances of similar news reports and visuals being broadcast across multiple channels on comparable subjects, raising concerns about compliance with established broadcasting standards.
It recommended strict adherence to statutory provisions and cautioned against normalising inappropriate language or behaviour during telecasts.
The ministry asked channels to exercise care while selecting panellists for debates and discussions and to sensitise participants against making communal or anti-national statements.
Broadcasters were advised to use safeguards such as muting objectionable remarks, displaying disclaimers or discontinuing live feeds to prevent derogatory, abusive or inflammatory content from reaching viewers.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ถ-๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ
The advisory reiterated the prohibition on live coverage of anti-terrorist operations conducted by security forces.
It said television channels must restrict their reporting during such operations to periodic briefings issued by authorised officers until the operations have concluded.
The ministry also directed broadcasters to avoid sensational treatment of crime and violence and exercise restraint while airing disturbing visuals.
Channels were advised against repeatedly looping graphic footage, particularly where such repetition could cause distress or sensationalise an incident.
๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
For disasters and major accidents, the ministry stressed that reporting must be based on verified information rather than speculation or unconfirmed claims.
It advised broadcasters to use time-stamped visuals wherever necessary to distinguish current developments from earlier footage and prevent unnecessary panic among viewers.
The advisory also instructed channels to use only authentic maps of India published by the Survey of India, ensuring geographical accuracy in television broadcasts.
๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐บ ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐บ๐๐๐ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ
The ministry reiterated that television channels must protect the identities of victims of sexual offences, including by withholding details that could indirectly reveal their identities.
It stressed that broadcasters should exercise sensitivity while reporting such cases and avoid disclosing information that could compromise victims' privacy.
The advisory further called upon channels to strengthen their internal editorial oversight and content review mechanisms to ensure compliance with broadcasting regulations.
The ministry warned that failure to adhere to the Programme Code could result in action under the applicable statutory provisions.