‘Caution needed for live coverage of terror attacks’

LUCKNOW : Live media reporting during a couple of incidents of terror attacks in the past has done more harm than good to the nation while allegedly helping the terror handlers to change their strategy to counter security agencies after getting basic information through live reports of the incident on television.

These incidents have forced the security agencies as well as media experts to think over facts shared publicly while doing live reporting of terror attacks and hostage situations. The experts held a discussion over the issue during a workshop held at UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) headquarters in Gomti Nagar here on Wednesday.

IPS Amit Kumar said the media should strictly restrict to the guidelines suggested by the committee led by retired justice JS Verma and dos and don’ts framed for news channels while doing live coverage. He said the news telecast of such incidents should be reported while considering public interest. He said the media should be extra alert that their coverage must not do publicity of terror outfits and its ideology. He said the guidelines suggested that details of number of security personnel involved, methods employed by them or number of hostages should not be broadcast while doing live coverage of hostage situations or rescue operations, as it helps the terrorists in framing their counter plan against security agencies.

He said it also suggest that broadcasters should refrain from being in live contact with victims, security forces, or other technical personnel or perpetrators during the course of the incident.

Senior journalist Anand Sinha said it is the social responsibility of the media persons to ensure that their reporting must not facilitate terrorists’ objectives or help them in anyway against security agencies. He said the media persons had gradually changed their pattern in past few months and have become more sensitive while doing coverage of such incidents.

Colonel Hitesh from National Security Guard, UP ATS IG Asim Arun as well several media persons were present during the discussion.