State govt to rein in TV news channels

The Karnataka government plans to rein in television news channels and cable TV networks following the over-the-top coverage of incidents of violence related to the Cauvery water issue in Bengaluru and other parts of the state on Monday.

The Council of Ministers headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday
resolved to issue an advisory to all the news channels not to air anything that would incite violence.

Blackout
If the channels refuse to mend their ways, then steps will be taken to black them out, sources in the government said.

There has been widespread condemnation of the manner in which TV channels repeatedly telecast incidents of vehicles being set on fire on the streets of Bengaluru, Mandya and Mysuru.

TV channels of Tamil Nadu, too, had repeatedly telecast on Sunday the incident of a Tamil youth being beaten up in Bengaluru for posting derogatory comments against Kannada film stars.

The Council of Ministers discussed at length the provocative reporting by a section of TV news channels that resulted in protests turning violent on Monday in Bengaluru.

Local news channels are violating the programme code under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995.

The government should control the irresponsible channels in order to ensure law and order, many of the ministers are learnt to have suggested.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Siddaramaiah, however, merely urged the electronic media to exercise restraint. “The media can play a constructive role in ensuring peace and normalcy. Repeatedly showing incidents of arson and vandalism can provoke further violence and backlash. There have been suggestions from various quarters that such type of reporting should be stopped,” he said.

The chief minister sought the cooperation of the media for maintaining law and order.