Corona Crisis: Centre Banks On Media To Spread Awareness, Curb Rumours

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: To spread awareness as well curb rumours amid the coronavirus crisis in the country, the Centre on Tuesday urged all states and union territories to ensure the “operational continuity” of print and electronic media.

In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry said robust and essential information dissemination networks like TV channels and news agencies “are of utmost importance to ensure timely and authentic information dissemination”.

Noting that proper functioning of these networks is required not only to create awareness among people but also keep the nation updated of the latest status, the letter said false and fake news need to be avoided.

“…good practices need to be promoted and these networks play a pivotal role in ensuring the same,” news agency PTI quoted the letter as saying.

The letter urged the state governments and union territory administrations to facilitate operational convenience of the services, including TV channels, news agencies, teleport operators, Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG), Direct to Home (DTH) and Highend-in-the Sky (HITS), Multi System Operators (MSOS), cable operators, Frequency Modulation (FM) radio and Community Radio Stations (CRSS).

The letter urged that in case any restrictions are being contemplated to be imposed for containment of the virus, all operators of such facilities/intermediaries in the chain be permitted to remain operational.

It also said the movement of vehicles carrying media persons, DSNGs and others including provisioning of fuel, where-ever required may kindly be facilitated; and availability of uninterrupted electric supply and other logistics as requested by such facilities be provided.

“The concerned service providers are being advised to coordinate with the local authorities in case any problem is faced by them in providing uninterrupted services,” the letter said.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Police Draw Up Strategy For Safe Conduct Of Polls In Bhubaneswar & Cuttack

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police on Friday held a review meeting to draw up the strategy…

March 29, 2024

Huge Amount Of Explosive Materials Seized From Jatni In Odisha’s Khurda

Bhubaneswar: Police have seized huge amount of explosive materials from a firecracker manufacturing unit in…

March 29, 2024

HC Extends Interim Protection To Odisha MLA Pratap Jena In Mahanga Double Murder Case

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has extended the interim protection to BJD MLA and former…

March 29, 2024

BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya Calls TMC’s Cartoon A ‘Direct Threat To Life’ Of PM Modi

New Delhi: The verbal duel between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated…

March 29, 2024

Jailed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s Wife Launches WhatsApp Drive Seeking Support

New Delhi: A day after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's ED remand was extended till…

March 29, 2024

Odisha Braces For Hot & Humid Weather Over Next 4-5 Days; Mercury May Soar To 40°C

Bhubaneswar: Odisha is likely to experience hot and humid weather conditions during the next 4-5…

March 29, 2024

Congress Gets Fresh Income Tax Notice Of Rs 1,700 Cr; Check Ajay Maken’s Big Claim Against BJP

New Delhi: In another blow to cash-strapped Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the…

March 29, 2024

CBI Files Closure In AI-IA Merger Probe 8 Months After Praful Patel Joins NDA

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a closure report in the…

March 29, 2024