The ministry of information and broadcasting has asked all private satellite television channels to adhere to the Programme Code.

The IB ministry in an advisory issued on Friday emphasized that no programme should criticize, malign, or slander any individual or certain groups.

“All private satellite TV channels are requested to ensure compliance with the directions above,” it said.

The advisory comes in the wake of actor Rakul Preet Singh’s plea in the Delhi High Court alleging defamatory programs being run against her in connection with a drugs probe related to the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.

The High Court had, in its September 17 order, said, “It is hoped that media houses and television channels would show restraint in reporting and abide by the provisions of the Programme Code as also the various guidelines, both statutory and self-regulatory, while making any report in relation to the petitioner.”