UGC tells universities to avoid content which advance agenda

UGC today recommended that all departments of communication and journalism under universities should promote a media policy that avoids generating content which may advance the agenda of terrorism.
Amid a raging debate over the freedom of media showing content that may incite terror acts, UGC recommended that "media policy should include principles of self-restraint".
"The institutions imparting education in mass communication and journalism need to be sensitized to avoid such elements which may advance the agenda of terrorism," it said in a communication to all vice chancellors.
The UGC's recommendation is in line with the Administrative Reforms Commission's 8th report on combating terrorism.

In a separate communication, the UGC also asked institutes across the country to include in their curriculum issues relating to weapons of mass destruction, disarmament and peaceful use of chemistry as students are largely ignorant about the important international conventions.
"India is a prominent signatory to the Chemical Weapons' Convention (CWC). The National Authority of Chemical Weapons' Convention (NACWC) has decided that education and awareness should be the thrust area to create mass awareness for chemical disarmament," UGC said in the communication.
The aim is to help young students gain scientific knowledge and principles about international conventions like the CWC which have a bearing on welfare of entire humankind, it said.