The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Wednesday advised private satellite television channels to strictly comply with the Programme Code and to use artificial intelligence, including generative AI, only in an assistive capacity in news and programme production, warning that violations could attract regulatory action, IANS reported.

Source: IANS via HiIndia

In its advisory dated October 21, 2026, the ministry said the Inter-Departmental Committee constituted under the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021 had found telecasts on various channels were not in conformity with the spirit of the Programme Code, and had also noted similar news content and visuals being broadcast across multiple channels on the same subjects, Indian Television and Storyboard18 reported.

Source: Indian Television

On debates, the ministry said channels must ensure discussions do not promote or encourage communal or anti-national attitudes, called for careful selection and prior sensitisation of panellists, and listed immediate remedial measures such as muting, disclaimers, interruption or discontinuation of feed to stop derogatory, abusive or inflammatory content, according to the advisory as reported by multiple outlets.

The advisory also urged channels to avoid graphic or disturbing visuals, unverified and sensationalised crime reports and excessive replay of violent footage, reiterated the bar on live coverage of anti-terror operations except for periodic briefings by authorised officers, and said AI use for graphics and virtual news presentations must not compromise accuracy, authenticity or sensitivity, Exchange4Media and Storyboard18 reported.

Source: Exchange4Media

The Programme Code is prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. The ministry said broadcasters must follow both the letter and the spirit of those provisions and ensure inappropriate behaviour or language is not normalised through telecasts.