Refrain from interacting with media without authorisation: I-B

Officials of Information and Broadcasting Ministry and various departments under it have been asked to refrain from interacting with the media without authorisation from competent authorities, according to a ministry circular.
"It has come to the notice of this ministry that some officers of this Ministry/Media Units interact with media without authorisation from the competent authority," the circular, issued last month to senior officers of the ministry, said.
It also referred to the Press Information Bureau's (PIB) manual that lays down guidelines for interaction with the media on behalf of the government.
It said only ministers, secretaries and other specially authorised officers may give information or be accessible to the representative of media.

"Any other official, if approached by a representative of media, will direct him/her to the Press Information Bureau or will seek permission of the Minister or the Secretary of the ministry/department before meeting the media persons," it added.
The circular, which has been sent to heads of all media units and autonomous bodies under the ministry, underlined that official information to the press, electronic and digital media should be communicated through the PIB.
"All the officers/officials of the media units and the Ministry are hereby once again informed to restrain from communicating with media without authorisation from the competent authority," said the circular.

However, a government official said such communication are issued from time to time, dubbing it as a "routine" exercise.