Govt issues advisory to media on use of air raid sirens

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive urging all media channels to avoid using Civil Defence Air Raid Sirens in their programs, except during community awareness campaigns. This advisory is aimed at maintaining the effectiveness and seriousness of the sirens in case of actual emergencies.

भारत सरकार की नसीहत

TV न्यूज़ चैनल अपने कार्यक्रमों में एयर डिफ़ेंस सायरन बजाना बंद करें pic.twitter.com/cqs2iQbtg0

— Umashankar Singh उमाशंकर सिंह (@umashankarsingh) May 10, 2025

The official order was shared through an announcement by the Ministry's ADG Media and Communication office. It cited concerns over the possible desensitisation of civilians to the siren sound due to its routine use in media broadcasts, which could lead to confusion during actual air raid situations.

Last week, the govt advisory warned that overuse of these sirens in entertainment or non-emergency contexts could make people mistake the warning for a regular occurrence, diminishing its impact when it is genuinely needed.

• Media channels are prohibited from using civil defence air raid sirens in programming outside of public awareness campaigns.

• Routine use of sirens may undermine their role as an emergency alert, causing confusion among the public during actual air raids.

• The advisory is part of a broader effort to maintain Civil Defence preparedness, as outlined in the Civil Defence Act of 1968.

The Ministry of Defence has called on media outlets and digital platforms to refrain from live coverage of defence operations or real-time reporting of security forces' movements. This move comes after several instances where premature disclosure of sensitive military information jeopardised national security, including during the Kargil War, the 26/11 attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking.

The Defence Ministry, referencing earlier guidelines from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, emphasised that only periodic briefings by designated officials are authorised under the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules during anti-terror operations. Media channels are urged to exercise caution and responsibility, ensuring they adhere to the highest standards of sensitivity when covering military activities.

The government’s call for vigilance comes as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance national security and protect the lives of civilians and security personnel alike.

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