https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Govt Bans Live Coverage of Defence Ops to Safeguard National Security – Key Do’s and Don’ts Explained

After Operation Sindoor, the government bans live coverage of defence ops, urging media to follow strict guidelines to protect national security and avoid compromising sensitive military movements.
Indian Masterminds Stories

New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at bolstering national security, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has issued a formal advisory to all television channels, news agencies, digital media platforms, and social media users to refrain from live coverage of defence operations and the movement of security forces.

The advisory, issued from the Ministry’s office at Shastri Bhawan, underscores the critical importance of responsible media conduct in situations involving national security. The directive warns against the dissemination of real-time visuals, reporting based on unofficial or “source-based” information, and any coverage that could jeopardize the safety and effectiveness of security personnel.

Why the Advisory?

Citing historical examples such as the Kargil War, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking, the Ministry emphasized that live and unrestricted coverage during sensitive operations in the past had unintended adverse effects. These included providing crucial intelligence to hostile actors and compromising operational integrity.

“The premature disclosure of sensitive information may inadvertently assist hostile elements and endanger operational effectiveness and the safety of personnel,” the advisory notes.

Legal Basis for the Advisory

The Ministry reminded media organizations of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, particularly Rule 6(1)(p), which explicitly prohibits live telecast of anti-terrorist operations. According to the rule:

“No programme should be carried in the cable service which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces, wherein media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate Government, till such operation concludes.”

Violations of this rule are liable for action under the said regulation.

A Call to Collective Responsibility

Beyond legal obligations, the advisory appealed to the moral responsibility of all stakeholders, emphasizing that safeguarding national interests is a shared duty. The Ministry highlighted the pivotal role that the media and digital platforms play in national security and called for the highest standards of vigilance and sensitivity in their reportage.

“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 states.

Approved and Effective Immediately

This directive has been issued with the approval of the competent authority within the Ministry and is effective immediately.

The Ministry has urged media houses to limit coverage of security operations strictly to verified, periodic briefings issued by designated government officials until such operations are concluded.

This advisory serves as a timely reminder of the balance between press freedom and national security. While transparency is vital in a democracy, the lives of security personnel and operational integrity must take precedence during critical moments.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SAIL resized
SAIL Bags 'Star Performer' Award from EEPC for Export Excellence During Pandemic Years - Check Here To Know More
NFL _ National Fertilizers Limited
National Fertilizers Ltd Faces Rs. 94.84 Crore Tax Demand Over GST Refunds
Screenshot 2025-05-31 204103
PM Modi Launches Major Thermal Power Projects in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - Check All Details
IRCON
IRCON Bags Rs. 1,068 Crore Contract for Ganga Rail Bridge in Bihar - All Details Inside
retirement
3 Senior Executives to Retire from Key PSUs in India, P V Ravitej Concludes 38-year Long Journey With BPCL - All Details Inside
Rajiv Krishna IPS
Breaking: IPS Rajeev Krishna Appointed as Acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh, Becomes 5th Consecutive Officer in Acting Role - Know More About Him
Bihar Government-resized-IM
47 IAS Officers Reshuffled in Bihar Ahead of Polls, 17 Districts Get New DMs, 5 New Commissioners - Check Circular Here
PSUs
PSUs: IRS Anurag Prasad Repatriated Early for Promotion; IAS M Muthukumar Appointed Director (Finance) at BHAVINI
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SAIL resized
SAIL Bags 'Star Performer' Award from EEPC for Export Excellence During Pandemic Years - Check Here To Know More
NFL _ National Fertilizers Limited
National Fertilizers Ltd Faces Rs. 94.84 Crore Tax Demand Over GST Refunds
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT