The Crossbill News Desk
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday (April 26) issued a fresh advisory cautioning media outlets and social media users against publishing "source-based" information related to defence operations or security force movements.
The move comes just hours after opposition leaders, citing a news report, accused the Union government of misleading them during the all-party meeting convened following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Although the advisory is titled “Advisory to all Media channels to refrain from showing live coverage of defence operations and movement of security forces reg,” its scope extends beyond television broadcasters to news agencies, online platforms, and social media users.
It urges all media entities to act with "utmost responsibility" and comply with existing laws and regulations while covering matters related to national defence and security.
A key part of the advisory specifically warns against using “sources-based” information in reporting on defence activities, stating, “No real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on ‘sources-based’ information related to defence operations or movement should be undertaken.”
It stresses that premature disclosure of sensitive information could inadvertently assist hostile forces and endanger both the effectiveness of operations and the safety of personnel.
The timing of the advisory is significant, coming on the same day The Hindu reported that a senior Jammu and Kashmir official had said the Baisaran meadow — where 26 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack on April 22 — has historically remained open to tourists, contradicting the government's claim during the all-party meeting that police authorisation had not been sought for access to the area.
Opposition leaders have since accused the government of providing misleading information during the briefing.
Reportedly, at the all-party meeting, government officials said tourist access to the Baisaran meadow is typically opened only around June and that local authorities should have been informed — a protocol they claimed had been bypassed in April.
The advisory also cites past instances such as the Kargil conflict, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking to illustrate how unrestricted media coverage had adverse impacts on national security.
“Past incidents have underscored the importance of responsible reporting. During events such as the Kargil war, the Mumbai terror attacks (26/11), and the Kandahar hijacking, unrestricted coverage had unintended adverse consequences on national interests,” the advisory said.
“Media, digital platforms, and individuals play a vital role in safeguarding national security,” it said, adding that “it is a shared moral responsibility” to avoid compromising operational security.
“Apart from the legal obligations, it is a shared moral responsibility to ensure that our collective actions do not compromise ongoing operations or the security of our forces.”
The advisory reiterates the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, particularly Rule 6(1)(p), which prohibits live coverage of anti-terrorist operations. It states that media coverage should be limited to periodic official briefings until an operation concludes. Any violations could invite action under the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules.
Concluding its note, the Ministry called upon all stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of vigilance, sensitivity, and responsibility while reporting, emphasizing their role in the service of the nation.
“All stakeholders are requested to continue exercising vigilance, sensitivity, and responsibility in coverage, upholding the highest standards in the service of the nation,” the advisory read.
The move comes just hours after opposition leaders, citing a news report, accused the Union government of misleading them during the all-party meeting convened following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Although the advisory is titled “Advisory to all Media channels to refrain from showing live coverage of defence operations and movement of security forces reg,” its scope extends beyond television broadcasters to news agencies, online platforms, and social media users.
It urges all media entities to act with "utmost responsibility" and comply with existing laws and regulations while covering matters related to national defence and security.
A key part of the advisory specifically warns against using “sources-based” information in reporting on defence activities, stating, “No real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on ‘sources-based’ information related to defence operations or movement should be undertaken.”
It stresses that premature disclosure of sensitive information could inadvertently assist hostile forces and endanger both the effectiveness of operations and the safety of personnel.
The timing of the advisory is significant, coming on the same day The Hindu reported that a senior Jammu and Kashmir official had said the Baisaran meadow — where 26 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack on April 22 — has historically remained open to tourists, contradicting the government's claim during the all-party meeting that police authorisation had not been sought for access to the area.
Opposition leaders have since accused the government of providing misleading information during the briefing.
Reportedly, at the all-party meeting, government officials said tourist access to the Baisaran meadow is typically opened only around June and that local authorities should have been informed — a protocol they claimed had been bypassed in April.
The advisory also cites past instances such as the Kargil conflict, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking to illustrate how unrestricted media coverage had adverse impacts on national security.
“Past incidents have underscored the importance of responsible reporting. During events such as the Kargil war, the Mumbai terror attacks (26/11), and the Kandahar hijacking, unrestricted coverage had unintended adverse consequences on national interests,” the advisory said.
“Media, digital platforms, and individuals play a vital role in safeguarding national security,” it said, adding that “it is a shared moral responsibility” to avoid compromising operational security.
“Apart from the legal obligations, it is a shared moral responsibility to ensure that our collective actions do not compromise ongoing operations or the security of our forces.”
The advisory reiterates the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, particularly Rule 6(1)(p), which prohibits live coverage of anti-terrorist operations. It states that media coverage should be limited to periodic official briefings until an operation concludes. Any violations could invite action under the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules.
Concluding its note, the Ministry called upon all stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of vigilance, sensitivity, and responsibility while reporting, emphasizing their role in the service of the nation.
“All stakeholders are requested to continue exercising vigilance, sensitivity, and responsibility in coverage, upholding the highest standards in the service of the nation,” the advisory read.
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