Uttarakhand Mine Accident | “News channels should not create sensationalism” – Central Government Instruction | Be sensitive in reportage, avoid sensationalizing tunnel rescue operations: Govt to TV channels

New Delhi: The central government has directed news channels not to sensationalize the news about the Uttarakhand mine accident.

4.5 km between Silkyara-Barkot as part of Chardham Expressway project in Uttarakhand. A tunnel is being laid in the distance. There, a landslide occurred in the early morning of the 12th and 41 workers were trapped in the middle of the tunnel. Experts from 8 government departments are trying day and night to rescue them. As the rescue operation continues today for the 10th day, the rescue team has established contact with the workers there by inserting an endoscopy camera through a pipe. The release of the first footage of the workers has given inspiration to the rescue teams and hope to the families of the workers.

Meanwhile, various news televisions rushed to the scene and are providing news from there. Considering this, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an instruction. “Various news channels are going close to the tunnel to record video and broadcast the footage live and recorded. In the interest of gathering news, no one should cause any disturbance to the rescue operations.

Similarly, news about rescue operations should be reported responsibly. Television news should be delivered with the awareness that the families and relatives of the workers inside are watching. The news should also not be presented in a way that causes fear or mistrust in the public. Providing such messages will adversely affect the ongoing operations,” the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has advised.