Guidelines against Communal Writing

1. The State Governments should take upon themselves the responsibility of keeping a close watch on the communal writings that might spark off tension, destruction and death, and bring them to the notice of the Council.

2. The government may have occasion to take action against erring papers or editors. But it must do so within the bounds of law. If newsmen are arrested or search and seizure operations become necessary, it would be a healthy convention if such development could be reported to the Press Council within 24 to 48 hours followed by a detailed note within a week.

3. Under no circumstances must the authorities resort to vindictive measures like cut in advertisement, cancellation of accreditation, cut in newsprint quota and other facilities.

4. Provocative and sensational headlines should be avoided.

5. Headings must reflect and justify the matter printed under them.

6. Figures and casualties given in headlines should preferably be on the lower side in case of doubt about their exactness and where numbers reported by various sources differ widely.

7. Headings containing allegations made in statements should either identify the person/body making the allegation or, at least, should carry quotation marks.

8. News reports should be devoid of comments and value judgements.

9. Presentation of news should not be motivated or guided by partisan feelings nor should it appear to be so.

10. Language employed in writing the news should be temperate and such as may foster feelings of amity among communities and groups.

11. Corrections should be promptly published with due prominence and regrets expressed in serious cases.

12. It will help a great deal if in-service training is given to journalists for inoculation of all these principles.

(Source: P.E.C. Commission's Report)