NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) is considering a proposal to prohibit live media coverage of counter terrorism operations by security forces. 

Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore told Parliament that the Home Ministry wants amendments in the existing laws in this regard.

The issue of coverage by television channels is presently part of the self-regulation guidelines drawn up by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority of the News Broadcasters Association. The Press Council of India had issued similar guidelines with regard to print media. 

These guidelines were drawn up after the 26 November, 2008 attacks in Mumbai. Following a controversy that live telecasts of the counter-terrorism operations were in all likelihood been seen by the masterminds in Pakistan who had planned the attacks.

As far as Prasar Bharati is concerned, it is governed by the Programme and Advertising Code which is also part of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and therefore equally applicable to private television channels.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee examines complaints under the Act and the Rules drawn up a year earlier in 1994.