The central government has issued an advisory urging all news channels to refrain from using Civil Defence Air Raid Sirens in their broadcasts, citing the potential risk of public desensitization and confusion in the event of a real emergency.
A senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed the development on Saturday, stating, “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 3(1)(w)(o) of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, all media channels are hereby requested to avoid using Civil Defence Air Raid Siren sounds in their programming, except when used strictly for community education purposes.”
The official explained that repeated and casual use of these sirens by media outlets could diminish public sensitivity toward the sound, making civilians less responsive during actual air raids or emergency situations.
“The routine use of such sirens in broadcasts might lead the public to associate them with media content, causing confusion or apathy when a real threat arises,” he noted.
The advisory emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity and impact of air raid sirens, which are critical components of civil defence and emergency response mechanisms.
The government has called on media organizations to support national preparedness efforts under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, and to use such sounds responsibly in the public interest.
