Srinagar, Apr 09: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar Friday said he has directed all SSPs to brief the media about anti-militancy operations saying live coverage is risky for journalists and diverts the attention of forces.
“The media persons are advised not to go closer to the gunfight place as it can prove dangerous to them,” he said in a press conference in Srinagar.
“It may disturb the men involved in anti-militancy operations and the live coverage of encounters may trigger law and order situation in other areas,” the IGP said.
He said stray bullets can hit any media person if they go closer to the operation site.
“Covering live encounters can pose threat to the journalists,” the IGP said.
Earlier IGP Kashmir on Tuesday was quoted as saying that “media persons shouldn’t come closer to encounter sites and they should not go for live coverage in these situations.”
“Freedom of speech and expression is subject to reasonable restrictions. They should not violate other people’s right to guarantee life or put national security at threat,” he said.
“No operational context should be carried which is likely to incite violence or which promotes anti-national sentiments,” IGP said.