Not 15th August, but 27 October responsible for centre’s advisory to news channels:Modi

Lucknow, 8 November 2013

BJP prime ministerial candidate Shri Narendra Modi today while speaking at Behraich(UP) rally attacked Congress over issuance of advisory to news channels over 15th August telecast.

Modi termed this as an attack on democracy in this country.

“You will be surprised to know that Government of India’s Information & Broadcasting ministry has issued an advisory to Indian news TV channels.”

“Through this advisory the GoI has tried to say that while on 15th August the Prime Minister of India was giving speech from Red Fort in Delhi, how the media showed Gujarat Chief Minister live at par with PM? Such practice should be stopped. This is their order.”

“Why did they issue such advisory? And when did they do this? They issued this advisory just a week ago. They are not concerned about PM. On 27 October, Rajnath Singh and Narendra Modi were giving speech and at the same time their Shehzada(Rahul Gandhi) was also speaking(in Delhi). Media people made mistake of showing Shehzada, but without audio, while Modi was shown with audio. This disturbed Congress party and thus the advisory note was issued.”

“The question is not bout Modi, it is about BJP rally, it is about protecting our democracy. In democracy, the opposition has right to speak.”

“But Shehzade in Delhi should know whether we are shown on TV or not, we have made our position in the hearts of the people of India.”

On advisory

In a clear reference to the 15th August media coverage of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke soon after the PM the same morning, the I&B Ministry — the licensing authority for all channels — said the “telecast of this kind of programme was highly objectionable, and could draw penal provisions.” In an advisory sent to all news and current affairs channels, it said that the “significance of solemn days like Independence Day” must be kept in view while telecasting the PM’s speech.

“The attempt by certain TV channels to denigrate the status of the Prime Minister can best be described as sensational against all forms of ethical journalism,” the advisory stated. The Ministry referred to the statutory framework governing channels, noting that no programme could be transmitted which “offends against good taste or decency; and criticises, maligns or slanders any individual in person or certain groups; segments of social, public and moral life of the country.”