With reference to the I&B Ministry's advisory to TV news channels, consider the following statements: 1. The advisory mandates that news channels must ignore the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act. 2. The advisory was issued based on observations from the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC). 3. News channels must use authentic maps provided by the Survey of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

I&B Ministry advises TV news channels to avoid promoting communal disharmony or anti-national attitudes

GS1History · Society · Geography· Communalism, regionalism & secularism· Prelims + Mains· 21 October 2026

Media regulation and national integrity: a GS1 and GS2 case study on maintaining social harmony.

Why in news

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued an advisory to TV news channels to prevent the promotion of communal disharmony and anti-national attitudes based on Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) observations.

Background

The ministry's advisory mandates that news channels adhere to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act. It specifically requires the use of authentic maps from the Survey of India and responsible AI usage in reporting.

Facts for Prelims

BodySurvey of India: The official body responsible for providing authentic maps for news reporting.
Act / BillCable Television Networks (Regulation) Act: The primary legislation governing TV news content and regulations.
FactThe advisory was issued following observations made by the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC).

Prelims practice question

With reference to the I&B Ministry's advisory to TV news channels, consider the following statements:

The advisory mandates that news channels must ignore the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.
The advisory was issued based on observations from the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC).
News channels must use authentic maps provided by the Survey of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)2 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only — Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is incorrect: The advisory mandates that news channels adhere to the Act.

For Mains

Q. Discuss the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring responsible media reporting to maintain social harmony and national integrity in a diverse democracy.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Regulatory friction: Balancing freedom of speech with the state's power to prevent communal disharmony
Information integrity: Ensuring geographical accuracy and fact-verification against misinformation in digital-first news cycles
Technological oversight: Addressing the ethical implications and risks of unregulated AI integration in news broadcasting

Keywords: Media Regulation · Communal Harmony · Information Integrity · Responsible AI · Public Order

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