The terrorist attack on 14th February 2019 in Pulwama that left 44 CRPF soldiers dead, has led to Pakistan indulging in grandstanding and war-hysteria. The terrorist attack that was sponsored by Pakistan was one of the most dastardly attacks on security forces that Kashmir has ever seen. Following the attack, the Pakistan Army spokesperson had delivered a press conference in which he denied Pakistan’s role and cast aspersions on India. Now, 2 Indian TV channels, ABP Tiranga TV backed by Congress leader Kapil Sibal, that broadcasted that press conference have been sent showcause notices by the Government of India. Sources in MIB confirmed that 11 others are being examined for the same.
OpIndia has learnt from reliable sources that the 11 channels that are being examined for the violation. ABP and Kapil Sibal’s Tiranga TV have already received showcause notice.
1. Surya Samachar
2.. News Nation
3.. Zee Hindustan
4.. TOTAL TV
5.. ABP Majha
6. News18 Lokmat
7. Jai Maharashtra
8. News 18 Gujarati
9. News24
10. Sandesh News
11. News18 India
As per information, EMMC has sent transcription reports of these TV Channels to MIB for Pakistan Army Spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor’s media briefing. MIB has already issued showcause notice to Tiranga TV and ABP news.
Following is the showcause notice sent to Kapil Sibal backed Tiranga TV, that is backed by senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal.
The notice says that in the light of Pulwama attack, the Ministry had issued a notification on 14th February 2019 (the day of the terror attack) to be particularly careful about publishing and broadcasting content that:
- Likely to encourage or incite violence
- Contains anything against maintenance of law and order
- Promotes anti-national attitude
- Contains anything that affects the integrity of the nation
The notice says that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has learnt that Tiranga TV broadcasted the Pakistan Army spokesperson’s press conference between 15:41 and 16:02 on 22nd February 2019 and that was in violation of the rules and regulations.
The showcause notice says that the broadcast of the press conference violated the following rules:
- Likely to encourage or incite violence
- Contains anything against maintenance of law and order
- Promotes anti-national attitude
- Contains anything that affects the integrity of the nation
The showcause notice also mentions that the channel did not attempt to intervene to present the correct picture of the situation when the Pakistan Army spokesperson was presenting incorrect facts.
The notice deemed the broadcast in contravention to the notice issued by MIB on 14th February 2019 and asked the channel to respond, without 7 days of the issue of the notice with a reason as to why the government should not initiate action against them.
Note: This article has been updated with relevant information
