Restore ‘civility’ in TV debates, Congress urges I&B ministry after Rajiv Tyagi’s death

A day after senior Congress leader Rajiv Tyagi suffered a heart attack soon after participating in a television debate, the party on Thursday urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to enforce a code of conduct for news channels. Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, in his letter to the ministry, said that the government must address the issue of restoring ‘civility’ in TV debates.

“Constant interruptions coupled with toxic and defamatory smears impact the mental and physical well-being of all individuals on the panel,” Shergill said in the letter.

“The brazen violation of NBA (News Broadcasters Association) guidelines and code need honest reflection and course correction,” veteran party leader Anand Sharma tweeted sharing Shergill’s concerns.

Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor also raised the issue, saying he will seek a report from I&B Ministry as it requires serious consideration.

Rajiv Tyagi 52, suffered a heart attack and collapsed at his home in Ghaziabad on Wednesday soon after he participated in a debate for a TV channel over video conference. He was rushed to a local hospital, but doctors failed to revive him.