After NDTV India, Assam-Based Channel To Be Taken Off Air For Violating Programming Guidelines

After the government order of a day-long ban on NDTV India, the central government has ordered an Assam-based news channel, News Time Assam, to go off air for a day on 9 November for violating programming norms. The Information and Broadcasting ministry order dated 2 November said the channel may be taken off air for one day.

News Time Assam disclosed the identity of the minor by revealing his name and clearly showing his face. “Revelation of identity could scar the child for life,” the order said, adding, “The channel showed the visuals of the minor child repeatedly. Owing to physical harm and cruelty, the child appeared to be emotionally traumatised. These visuals not only appeared to compromise the privacy and dignity of the child, he was also exposed to harm and stigma.”

The Inter Ministerial Committee noted that the channel cannot escape from its responsibility by merely apologising for the error, especially when the channel carried content which could cause immense harm to the child and denigrate him.

NDTV India has also been ordered off air on the same day over its coverage of the Pathankot terror attack. It is said to have violated programming guidelines by broadcasting sensitive information about the location of areas populated by Army families, presence of air force assets and equipment and proximity from an ammunition dump.

(With inputs from IANS)