India vs Canada Row: Centre Issues Advisory To TV Channels Regarding Interviews with Terrorism-Linked Individuals

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• Sep 22, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Central government has issued an advisory to private television channels, urging them to abstain from...

Digital Desk: In the midst of an ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, the Central government has issued an advisory to private television channels, urging them to abstain from interviewing individuals associated with terrorism. Although the advisory does not explicitly mention Canada or Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, it underscores the Indian government's concerns over national security and diplomatic relations.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a statement, saying, "It has come to the notice of this Ministry that a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime including terrorism, belonging to an organization which has been proscribed by law in India was invited for a discussion on a television channel wherein the said person made several comments/remarks which were detrimental to the sovereignty/integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also had the potential of disturbing public order in the country."

While reiterating its commitment to upholding media freedom and respecting constitutional rights, the advisory underlined the necessity for television channels to adhere to the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (CTN) Act of 1995, particularly sub-section (2) of Section 20.

The advisory cautioned television channels against providing a platform for reports, references, or views of individuals with backgrounds involving serious crimes, terrorism, or association with proscribed organizations. It invoked Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution, which outlines reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech, and sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the CTN Act.

The government emphasized that this advisory is in the best interest of India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, friendly foreign relations, public order, and moral values. It seeks to strike a balance between media freedom and national security concerns in an increasingly interconnected world.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a US-based Sikh extremist who leads the Sikhs for Justice Group, has previously been designated as a terrorist in India. Though not explicitly named in the advisory, it is widely speculated that the recent incident that prompted this directive may have involved him, given his known affiliations and background.

This advisory serves as a reflection of India's commitment to safeguarding its national interests and security, even in the face of complex international relations and the evolving nature of media communication.