Self Restraint by the Media: a welcome development

Finally...much awaited self restraint by the media houses comes into force...how the news channels and media houses respond to it, adhere to the guidelines? Wait & Watch!

For Aishwarya Rai's baby, 

TV channels will 'behave'

An astonishing (as per TOI report) 

guideline agreed upon by all news channels 

could forever change the way 

Indian television treats its celebrities

The self imposed guidelines are:

» No pre-coverage of the event.
» Story of the birth of the baby to run only after, and on the basis of, official announcement.
» Story not to run on breaking news band.
» No camera or OB vans at hospital or any other location (like the Bachchans' homes Pratiksha or Jalsa) related to the story. 
» Channels will only go for photo-op or press conference if invited.
» Channels will not carry any MMS or photo of the child. We can carry if issued by the family
» No astrology show to be done on this issue.
» No 11.11.11 astro shows to be done.
» The duration of story to be around a minute/ninety seconds.
» Obviously, unauthorized entry into hospital not permitted. 

Indeed it is a welcome change from "paparazzi" culture of present day media, where privacy of individuals and patients rights are violated routinely!

As a pioneer in advocating patients rights to privacy, this blog appreciates the gesture by the media houses. Hope this heralds the new era of "responsible" media of the future...