New Delhi: Private satellite television channels have been directed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to restrict artificial intelligence and generative AI applications strictly to assistive roles in news production.
In a comprehensive compliance advisory issued by the ministry on Wednesday, it has highlighted growing concerns over non-compliance with the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.
Automated graphics, virtual news anchors, and generative tools must not compromise the factual accuracy, authenticity, or sensitivity of broadcast news, the ministry has warned.
Findings by the Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) flagged recurring Programme Code violations and identical, unverified visuals being broadcast simultaneously across multiple channels. To curb sensationalism, the MIB instructed broadcasters to enforce strict editorial checks on crime reporting, natural disasters, and violent imagery.
The channels must blur or mask graphic visuals, refrain from looping disturbing footage, enforce time-stamping on archival videos to prevent misinterpretation as live feeds, and rigorously protect the identities of victims of sexual offences in compliance with statutory disclosure laws, the document has said.
While reinforcing national security and broadcast decorum standards, the ministry reiterated the mandatory ban under Rule 6(1)(p) on live coverage of ongoing anti-terrorist operations, limiting coverage to official briefings by authorized officers.
The ministry also called for stricter real-time moderation during live news debates — including feed interruptions, muting, and panellist screening — to prevent communal or inflammatory remarks.
The broadcasters have also been directed to exclusively utilize official Survey of India maps in on-air graphics, warning that failure to uphold editorial standards will invite penal action under applicable broadcasting regulations.