India Releases Advisory Over Live Coverage Of Defence Ops
In a move aimed at safeguarding national security, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a formal advisory urging all media channels, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from live coverage of defence operations and security force movements. The advisory, dated 26th April 2025, emphasises that premature disclosure of sensitive information could inadvertently aid hostile elements and compromise the safety of personnel involved in such operations.
The ministry reminded all broadcasters of their obligations under Rule 6(1)(p) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, which explicitly prohibits live coverage of anti-terrorist operations. Instead, media coverage should be restricted to periodic briefings by government-designated officers until such operations conclude. Non-compliance, it warned, would attract strict action under existing laws.
Highlighting past instances, the advisory recalled how unrestricted live coverage during critical events such as the Kargil War, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking had unintended adverse consequences. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, journalists reporting directly from the front lines raised concerns about operational secrecy, while during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, real-time media broadcasts were reportedly monitored by the terrorists and their handlers to track security forces’ movements, potentially endangering lives and complicating rescue efforts.
The advisory noted that responsible reporting is not only a legal obligation but a moral responsibility shared by all stakeholders to ensure national security is not compromised. It called upon television channels, news portals, and social media users to maintain the highest standards of vigilance and sensitivity while covering defence-related events.
This directive comes against the backdrop of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on 22nd April 2025, which left 26 people dead, including 23 Indian tourists, one local, and two foreign nationals. Over 20 others were injured in the attack, which was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The mass shooting, the deadliest in the region since 2019, aimed to destabilise the perceived demographic balance in the Kashmir Valley.
In response to the attack, Indian security forces launched extensive search operations, imposed a temporary lockdown in Pahalgam, and released sketches of the suspected attackers. Meanwhile, political leaders across the spectrum, as well as the United Nations Security Council, condemned the act. Tensions with Pakistan escalated further following India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés, despite Islamabad’s denials of involvement and calls for an international investigation.
The government’s latest advisory reflects lessons drawn from past experiences and an increased focus on balancing press freedom with operational security. While live reporting can keep citizens informed, authorities maintain that unfiltered, real-time dissemination during sensitive operations carries inherent risks.
The Ministry’s message is clear: media platforms must exercise restraint, rely solely on official briefings during live defence operations, and act responsibly to uphold national interests at a time when vigilance is more crucial than ever.
