Advisory to TV channels on reporting 26/11 anniversary

New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) With the first anniversary of the
Mumbai terror attacks less than a week away, the Indian
Government has issued an advisory to all television channels
urging them to do balanced reporting while showing programmes
on the incident, as trial related to it is still on.
"On the occasion of the first anniversary of the terror
attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2009, it is likely that
special programmes, news items, talk shows and interviews
would be telecast to highlight the incidents of last year.
"(As) the investigation and trial of the terror attacks in
Mumbai are still in progress, it is therefore important to
ensure a balanced and responsible coverage in any special
programme likely to be telecast on the anniversary of the
Mumbai attacks," the advisory, released by Ministry for
Information and Broadcasting to all television channels, said.
The ministry said that the media has been asked to
exercise restraint as "replays of disturbing visuals, showing
scenes of blood and gore or images of dead or seriously
wounded, may bring back dreaded memories of the tragic
incident and may indirectly fulfil the basic design of the
terrorists to spread fear and insecurity in the minds of
people".
The ministry has urged channels to keep the contents of
the advisory in mind "while telecasting programmes in
connection with the anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks".
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