"Observe Restraint On SKC Reporting"

City police commissioner A K Khan on Wednesday made a fresh appeal to all media houses in general, and television channels in particular, to observe restraint while reporting on the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission's report which will be disclosed to the public on Thursday.

In a statement, Khan said that while the citizens of Hyderabad, as well as those of the state, are keenly awaiting the contents of the Srikrishna Committee report, and are anxious about the possible outcome of the all-party meeting scheduled at New Delhi on Jan 6, the responsibility to refrain from broadcasting or reporting events in a way which could lead to violence lies with the media.

He pointed out that several political parties have already made their stands clear on the possible outcomes and have indicated that anything that goes against their expectations will generate tension in the city.

Khan said, "These spikes of emotion contain the potential to generate public disorder in the coming days."

The city police chief said that his department, in the pursuit of peace, has already appealed to all to cooperate.

Khan added that though the police have already put in place preventive steps in accordance with the law, to preserve peace in society, the cooperation of the media is also necessary.

He said, "It is pertinent to mention here that media has the power to create a congenial atmosphere by maintaining restraint and balance in the broadcast of their programs. Needless to mention here that such self-restraint from media is in societal interest."

The police chief also lauded the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) for issuing an advisory to media detailing the guidelines to be followed while reporting on this sensitive issue.

Pointing out to some of the guidelines issued by the NBA, Khan said that if they are followed to the letter, it will be of immense help to the police in maintaining law and order.

The NBA had already said that all news relating to the Srikrishna Committee report should strictly adhere to the contents of the report, uninfluenced by any opinion, inference or interpretation.

The NBA, in its advisory, said that no broadcasts should be made - of any speculation about the report before it is made fully available by the government; and of its likely repercussions thereafter which may be sensational, inflammatory or provocative.

No footage of violence, agitation, self-immolation etc., if any, is to be shown in any news item relating to the report.

No visuals should be shown depicting celebrations or protests in relation to the report. Apart from this, unnecessary repetition of sensitive visuals should be avoided.

Archival footage should clearly be labelled "file", and preferably also accompanied by the date and time of the initial broadcast.

Extra care should be taken to ensure accuracy and balance of reportage, by vetting and clearance at the highest editorial level.

The NBA also emphasized that programs telecast in relation to this subject should not speculate about and should not have contentious debates on its contents.

The city police chief also pointed out to the Program Code for the electronic media under Rule 6 of Section 5 of the Cable Networks (Regulation) Act,1995.

These rules state that no program shall be telecasted if it offends against good taste or decency, or if it contains anything defamatory, deliberate, or false and suggestive innuendoes and half truth.

Programs likely to encourage or incite violence, or that contain anything against maintenance of law and order, or which promote anti-national attitudes, are also to be avoided. Similarly, programs which contain visuals or words which reflect a slandering, ironical and snobbish attitude in the portrayal of certain ethnic, linguistic and regional groups, are to be avoided.

Courtesy: INN