New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- The Union government has asked television channels to exercise stricter editorial control over debates and panel discussions to prevent communal, anti-national, derogatory or inflammatory content from being aired, directing them to mute speakers, interrupt programmes or cut feeds where necessary.

In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the information and broadcasting ministry also cautioned broadcasters against live coverage of anti-terror operations and urged them to use verified facts, approved maps and artificial intelligence tools without compromising news accuracy.

"Adequate editorial control (including, but not limited to careful selection and pre-sensitisation of the panellists/participants) should be exercised...