India told how to cover birth of Aishwarya's baby
As the hype builds and the day nears – 11.11.11 notwithstanding - the hullaballoo surrounding Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's first child is breaching new levels.
As the predictions, reports, claims and counterclaims build to a climax, out of nowhere, the Broadcast Editors’ Association in India reportedly came up with guidelines on media reporting the birth of the baby.
All news channels have also agreed upon it, surely a first in the relatively brief history of the country’s broadcast media.
These are the guidelines issues, sent to this website by a channel that received them:
* No pre-coverage of the event
* Story of birth of the baby to be run only after, and on basis of, official announcement
* Story not to run on breaking news band
* No camera or OB vans at hospital or any other location related to the story
* Go for photo-op or press conference if invited
* Not carry any MMS or photo of the child
* No astrology show to be done on this issue
* No 11.11.11 astro show to be done
* The duration of story to be around a minute/ninety seconds
* Unauthorised entry into hospital not permitted
Not everyone is happy about the guidelines laid by the BEA. An Indian reporter who did not wished to be named told Emirates 24|7, "Such guidelines are nothing but restrictions on media, it's like censorship."
Another reporter said, "Why the association lay such self-regulation for this particular story, why not on other stories."
Amidst all this the Bachchan family, enjoying unprecedented attention from media, ridiculed it.
Mr Bachchan tweets: "Watching electronic media and ROTFL (Rolling On the Floor Laughing) as they 'confidently' elaborate on what is happening at our house .. all lies!!"
If we remember well it was Mr Bachchan who tweeted about Ash's pregnancy and let the entire world know about it.
But it seems the family had enough of publicity when Amitabh Bachchan went about writing not-so-complimentary thoughts about the media. He slammed all speculations and reports as "ridiculous, malicious and completely false allegations."
This regulation sparked rumours that some arm twisting by the Bachchan household result these guidelines. As soon as this report was out Amitabh Bachchan sent out a barrage of tweets explaining his position.
@SrBachchan: T 551 -HaHa ! Print MidDay asking if I have told I&B Ministry to block media news of Aish delivery! Absolute rubbish! Good try MDay!
@SrBachchan: T 551 - I&B and media matter ! Firstly I have no such intention ever, secondly do you really think I&B would listen to me !?? No way baby!
@SrBachchan: T 551 - So who does one believe ? The self-proclaimed etiquette and decency of the electronic, or the diktat of the I&B Ministry ???
@SrBachchan: T 551 - BUT ..!! No worries TwXmFt ! Every other day some ridiculous, malicious and completely false allegations are thrown at me ! Smiley!
Meanwhile, reporters are being posted and ready at certain hospitals wards.
Tabloids are still insistent that Aishwarya will go for a C-section to opt for a 11.11.11 baby.
The wait continues.
Also Read:
11.11.11 beckons Aishwarya
Rai-Bachchans' first baby?
