A K Khan Warns News Channels

City Police Commissioner A K Khan on Monday requested the CEOs of television channels to cooperate with the police and desist from repeating the telecast of the 'Chalo Assembly' by students and 'Chalo Raj Bhavan' agitation by advocates.

In a letter addressed to television channels, Khan said that repeated telecast of violent footages using digital modifications will create a feeling of panic among the general public.

He requested the channels to observe restraint and balance while broadcasting such incidents.

Khan said that he was requesting the media's cooperation because it has the power to project sensitive issues in an appropriate manner in the interest of maintenance of law and order, and preserving a sense of security in the public.

Repeated telecast of the same incidents can magnify the sense of insecurity disproportionately among the general public, the top cop said.

Khan pointed out that extra care be taken to ensure accuracy and balance of reportage by vetting and clearance at the highest editorial level.

The police chief also reminded the television channels of the guidelines (programme code) to be followed by the electronic media given under Rule 6 of Section 5 of Cable Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, while telecasting. He pointed out that the guidelines say that no program shall be telecasted if it offends good taste or decency, contains anything defamatory, deliberate, false, suggestive innuendoes and half truths.

Khan said that the Act also stipulates that if any cable operator transmits or re-transmits any program in contravention to Sec 5 and 6 read with Rules 6 and 7 of the Act, any authorized officer is bound by law to prohibit such transmission in public interest as per Sections 19 and 20 of the Act.

The police chief said that the Commissioner of Police is an authorized officer for Hyderabad city as per Section 2 of the Act, and media houses would be forced to attract penal actions with imprisonment up to 2 years or fine up to Rs. 1000, or both in case of first offence, while subsequent offences would invite imprisonment up to 5 years, or fine upto Rs. 5000 or both.

Courtesy: INN