Ayodhya Ram Mandir ceremony: MIB issues advisory to curb misleading content

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued an advisory against publishing/telecasting of content that may be false or manipulated or has the potential to disturb communal harmony or public order.

The advisory has been issued for newspapers registered under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, Private Satellite Television Channels, and publishers of news and current affairs content on digital media and social media platforms with regard to the consecration ceremony of Ayodhya Ram Mandir to be held on January 22.

Further, as part of their due diligence obligations, the social media platforms are advised to make reasonable efforts to not host, display or publish information of the nature mentioned above.

It was observed that certain unverified, provocative and fake messages are being spread, especially on social media, which can disturb communal harmony and public order. In this regard, attention was invited by MIB to the following provisions of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and the Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India.

The norms of Norms of Journalistic Conduct are as follows:

Accuracy and Fairness: The Press shall eschew publication of inaccurate, baseless, graceless, misleading or distorted material.

Caste, Religion or Community References: The newspaper must ensure that the tone, spirit and language of a write-up is not objectionable, provocative, against the unity and integrity of the country, the spirit of the constitution, seditious and inflammatory in nature or designed to promote communal disharmony.

Paramount National Interest: Newspapers shall, as a matter of self-regulation, exercise due restraint and caution in presenting any news, comment or information which is likely to jeopardise, endanger or harm the paramount interests of the State and society, or the rights of individuals with respect to which reasonable restrictions may be imposed by law on the right to freedom of speech and expression under clause (2) of Article 19 of the Constitution of India.

The Programme Code further specifies that no programme should be carried in the cable service which:-

(a) Contains attacks on religions or communities or visuals or words contemptuous of religious groups or which promote communal attitudes.
(b) Contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendos and half-truths.
(c) is likely to encourage or incite violence or contain anything against the maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national attitudes.