I&B ministry to channels: Don't belittle PM speech

The information and broadcasting ministry on Tuesday asked TV channels not to juxtapose the Prime Minister's official Independence Day speech with those of other leaders, saying this amounted to a denigration of his office.

The information and broadcasting ministry on Tuesday asked TV channels not to juxtapose the Prime Minister's official Independence Day speech with those of other leaders, saying this amounted to a denigration of his office.

In his I-Day speech this August, BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi had attacked PM Manmohan Singh by challenging him on a host of issues, which news channels had played against the PM's official I-Day speech.

The ministry said this was "inappropriate" and penal action could be taken under certain broadcast rules.