NDTV has responded to the decision to impose one day ban on its Hindi channel for Pathankot coverage.
Reacting to the decision, the channel sent an official statement out.
It said, “Ministry of Information and Broadcasting The order of the MIB has been received. It is shocking that NDTV has been singled out in this manner. Every channel and newspaper had similar coverage. In fact NDTV’s coverage was particularly balanced.
“After the dark days of the emergency when the press was fettered, it is extraordinary that NDTV is being proceeded against in this manner. NDTV is examining all options in this matter.”
An Inter-ministerial committee of the I and B ministry on Thursday had recommended that a leading Hindi news channel NDTV India be taken off air for a day after it concluded that the broadcaster had revealed “strategically-sensitive” details while covering the Pathankot terrorist attack.
The ministry may now ask the channel NDTV India to be taken off air for a day on 9 November, according to sources, in what would be the first order against a broadcaster over its coverage of terrorist attacks.
Efforts to reach the channel for its comments could not fructify.
The matter pertains to the coverage of the Pathankot terror attack by the channel where the committee felt that “such crucial information” could have been readily picked by terrorist handlers and had the potential to “cause massive harm not only to the national security, but also to lives of civilians and defence personnel.”
Meanwhile, social media has been replete with reactions from shocked users, who found the move incredible and reminiscent of Emergency.
Here are some reactions:
One of India's most sober and responsible channels NDTV India to be banned for a day by I and B ministry. NDTV today, who tomorrow?
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) November 3, 2016
NDTV इंडिया पर प्रतिबंध अघोषित इमरजेंसी का पैग़ाम है। प्रतिबंध के रोज़ हर चैनल व हर अख़बार को प्रतिरोध में अपने परदे/पन्ने काले रखने चाहिए।
— Om Thanvi (@omthanvi) November 3, 2016
Despite that,asking a channel to go off air for a day should be protested vehemently. Its NDTV today, could be you tomorrow. Unfortunate.
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) November 3, 2016
Hope ndtv challenges the ban order in court without delay. Dangerous if govt given power to ban media. https://t.co/oXFpTV1M0w
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) November 3, 2016
Govt's one day ban on NDTV India is arbitrary and perhaps even malafide use of authority. NDTV must challenge this in court right away. 1/2
— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) November 3, 2016
