I&B showcause to channel for allegedly showing wrong India map

A notice was issued to Al Jazeera TV channel for showing parts of India outside the border in its news broadcasts

A leading international channel has been slapped with a showcause notice by the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry for allegedly depicting a wrong map of India in its news reports.

Sources said the I&B ministry has in its showcause notice to Al Jazeera TV channel said it had come to its attention that on more than one occasion last year, a wrong map of India had been shown in its news broadcasts wherein parts of the country were shown outside the border, and sought the channel’s response.

“It had come to the notice of the ministry that in some of the news reports shown by the channel in 2013 related to various incidents, parts of Jammu and Kashmir were shown in territory outside India. The ministry took the matter with the office of surveyor general of India. After a report was received from the office of surveyor general, a notice has been issued to the channel," a source said.

According to the Cable TV Network Rules, 1994 it is laid down that no programme should be carried in the Cable Service which contains anything affecting the integrity of a nation.

TV channels are required to follow the prescribed norms including programme code and advertisement code under the relevant Acts and Rules, they said.

Officials said that the ministry of I&B has powers conferred under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 as per which if the central government thinks it necessary or expedient in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of India or security of India, it may by order regulate or prohibit the transmission or retransmission of any channel or programme.

"The I&B ministry has issued a show cause notice to Al Jazeera channel and sought its reply on the matter," a source said.

Repeated attempts made to get the channel's version did not fructify.