Bengaluru Police commissioner NS Megharikh issued an advisory on Friday demanding all news channels to refrain from telecasting provocative and unverified information on the Rudresh murder case and on the celebration of Tipu Jayanti.
The advisory comes a day after the Bengaluru police arrested PFI Bengaluru district president Asim Sheriff in connection with RSS member Rudresh’s murder and ahead of Tipu Jayanthi, celebrated on November 10. The Police Commissioner’s advisory noted that some local news channels had allegedly telecast news that had the potential to ignite communal tensions.
Abdul Wahid, state president of PFI told The News Minute: “On Wednesday, ETV Kannada aired a one hour programme with false information demeaning some organisations including PFI. I heard Suvarna News, another channel too telecast something derogatory. While we were not aware of the commissioner’s notice, we have decided to issue a legal notice to the channels soon.”
Megharikh too observed that some TV channels were telecasting provocative news reports which could cause disaffection amongst the members of public.
Through the advisory, he asked the channels to follow “Programme Code and Advertising Code” and exercise restraint and sensitivity while reporting. He also urged them to refrain from telecasting any material that could lead to a law and order situation.
“…Violating of the advisory may lead to prosecution of the offenders as per the provisions of the ‘Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995’,” the advisory stated.