India Warns TV Channels Over AI and Code Violations

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory on October 21, 2026, directing private satellite television channels to strictly comply with the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. The directive follows findings by an Inter-Departmental Committee that various telecasts failed to conform to the spirit of the rules, specifically noting the repetition of similar visuals across multiple channels.

The ministry warned that violations of these statutory requirements may invite legal or regulatory action. Key mandates include the prohibition of live coverage of anti-terror operations—which must be limited to authorized briefings—and the protection of the identities of sexual assault victims. Broadcasters must also use authentic maps published by the Survey of India and include time-stamps for disaster visuals to prevent public panic.

Regarding technology, the ministry urged caution with generative AI, stating that such tools should only serve an assistive capacity to avoid compromising the accuracy, authenticity, or sensitivity of news content. Additionally, channels were instructed to select panellists carefully to ensure live debates do not promote communal disharmony or anti-national attitudes, and to avoid the sensational reporting of crime and violence.