This crucial information could have been readily picked up by the terrorists’ handlers and jeopardised national security as well as the lives of civilians and defence personnel. It also appeared to disclose the location of the attackers. Sources in the Information &Broadcasting ministry say action was taken against the channel because it had revealed sensitive details, such as the location of the ammunition depot, school and residential areas in its coverage of the Pathankot attack. The Information & Broadcasting ministry has passed an order to “prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of NDTV India channel for one day on any platform throughout India with effect from 00:01 hrs on 9th November,2016 till 00:01 hrs of 10th November, 2016”. Here is an explanation of some important aspects of the ban: While the government has defended the banin the interest of national security, the Editors Guild of India has condemned it a violation of the freedom of media.Īmid all the outrage, there is still confusion over why the ban was imposed and under which law. This is the first time everthat a news channel has been barred from broadcasting for breaching national security laws in the country.
The central government’s decision to ban Hindi news channel NDTV India for a day has been sharply criticised by observers, journalists and opposition parties alike.