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Context - The Union Government has released an advisory to private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines.

Details

• The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has released an advisory to private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines.
• The Ministry has stated that several private TV News channels have covered the events and incidents in a manner which appears to be unauthentic, misleading, sensational and using socially unacceptable language and statements, against decency, vulgar and defamatory and having communal overtones.
• The advisory has particularly highlighted the concern related to the coverage of the Ukraine-Russian conflict and the incidence in North-West Delhi.

Regulation of Media in India

• In India, Media is mostly self-regulated.
• The Press Council of India (a statutory body) and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority issue standards and guidelines.
• Press Council of India was established under the PCI Act of 1978 to maintain the freedom of the press and improve the standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.
  • The PCI consists of a chairman and 28 other members.
  • The Chairman is selected by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and a member elected by the PCI.
• The functions of the PCI;
  • Helping newspapers to maintain their independence.
  • Build a code of conduct for journalists and news agencies.
  • Help in maintaining “high standards of responsibility in Media working”.
• The PCI has limited powers of enforcing the guidelines issued.
  • It cannot penalise newspapers, news agencies, editors and journalists for violation of the guidelines.
  • The PCI only overviews the functioning of press media.
  • It does not have the power to review the functioning of electronic media like radio, television and internet media.
• Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
  • Program and Advertisement Codes for regulating content broadcast on television, are issued under the act.
  • The District magistrate can seize the equipment of the cable operator in case he broadcasts programs that violate these Codes.
• Generally, news channels are governed by mechanisms of self-regulation. One such mechanism has been created by the News Broadcasters Association. 
  • The NBA has devised a Code of Ethics to regulate television content.
• The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) is empowered to warn, criticise, censure, express disapproval and fine the broadcaster a sum up to Rs. 1 lakh for violation of the Code.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1819243

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