Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 10: In the wake of the unrest and incidents of violence occuring in the district over the past one-and-a-half months, and especially over the past week, deputy commissioner Dr K G Jagadeesha has issued an advisory to the media, especially to television news channels, to apply discretion, check facts with authorities concerned, and avoid airing rumours that may incite further trouble.

The media advisory stated, "A handful of miscreants are trying to disturb the communal harmony in the district by isolated killing of people through stabbing and spreading rumours. It has come to the notice of the deputy commissioner and district magistrate of the Dakshina Kannada district that in wake of recent incidents related to isolated stabbing of people, television channels have been telecasting rumours, hearsay messages, carrying messages at the first instance without verifiiing the authenticity of the message or verification of facts. Some television channels have also been airing footage of violent incidents, repeatedly. This could further ignite tension, could disrupt communal harmony and the law and order situation in the district."

The deputy commissioner further appealed to the media:

l. News, views and comments relating to communal issues should be telecast only after proper verification of facts and presented with due caution and restraint, in a manner which is in the public interest for maintaining communal harmony.

II. To exercise restraint while covering incidents of violence and rioting.

III. Not to carry news in such a way that it incites violence.

IV. Telecast of live of shots of violence may be avoided.

V. While reporting the incidents, care may be exercised in the choice of words.

"According to basic conditions/obligations of permission/ approval for up linking/down linking of television channels in India, the channels as per section (5) and (6) of the act are bound to follow the programme code and advertising code as prescribed under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules framed thereunder," the DC's advisory stated.

He futher appealed to the media to follow the provisions mentioned above in order to maintain law and order and communal harmony in the district.

"Any violation of the advisory may lead to prosecution of the offenders as per the provisions of the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995," the DC warned.