In the backdrop of widespread criticism, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which had earlier directed NDTV India to go off-air for a day for its coverage of the Pathankot terrorist attacks, has now put the order on hold.
The ban order was given after an Inter-Ministerial Committee found the channel had violated the programming code for its coverage of the attacks.
According to sources, Prannoy Roy, Executive Co-chairperson, NDTV Group, and his team met I&B Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday. During the meeting, Roy is said to have pointed out that the channel’s point of view was not appreciated in the right perspective and requested the Minister to review the order.
He requested that the execution of the order be put on hold till such time the decision is reviewed and a final decision is taken. The ban is put on hold till the appeal is disposed of, sources said. An NDTV spokesperson said the company had received the official confirmation from the Ministry on the same.
NDTV had also filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of the order on Monday.
Last week, the Ministry had ordered the channel to go off-air for 24 hours effective November 9. This was done after an Inter-Ministerial Committee concluded that NDTV India, “had not shown restraint, responsibility and sensitivity, and revealed strategically-sensitive details,” while covering the Pathankot terrorist attack.
It was also found to be in violation of the clause in the regulations (introduced in 2015) which states that a broadcaster cannot carry live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces and media coverage should be restricted to periodic briefing by an government officer in the interest of national security.