New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all media channels to refrain from using Civil Defence Air Raid Sirens in their programmes, except for community awareness drives.
In an official communication issued to the ADG Media and Communication, the ministry as per news agency JKNS stated, “All media channels are hereby requested to refrain from using Civil Defence Air Raid Sirens sounds in their programs other than for educating the community.”
The order, issued under Section 3(1)(w)(i) of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, cautioned that routine use of such sirens may reduce their sensitivity among civilians, who may start interpreting them as part of normal media content rather than a real threat.
“It may likely lead civilians to misunderstand sirens as routine matter, used by the media channels, during the actual air raids,” the advisory further stated.
The ministry urged media support in augmenting civil defence preparedness in accordance with the Civil Defence Act, 1968. (JKNS)
