Kumbh: Authorities issue fresh guidelines for journalists

, Feb 8: Anticipating a huge media presence from across the world to cover

, the most important royal bathing day, the Kumbh administration Friday issued fresh guidelines to journalists.

While television channel crews have been restricted to the Sangam confluence to cover the bathing Sunday, vehicles will not be allowed beyond the media centre at Lal Sadak in the Kumbh Mela.

"Due to the magnitude of the event, we have issued special instructions to mediapersons to avoid any inconvenience," Ashok Sharma, media in charge at the Kumbh, told IANS.

The electronic media has been asked to use the media platform "in rotation" with 25-30 people at a time. Footage or photography within 100 metres of the bathing ghats has been banned in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

Journalists have also been asked to coordinate with police on the traffic plans and diversions for Sunday.

With a majority of foreign photo and video journalists "going overboard" on the first bathing day (Makar Sankranti, Jan 14), they have been asked to keep the "sensitivities of local community and seers in mind" while discharging their professional duties.

IANS