The Centre has informally asked television channels to exercise restraint in the coverage of swine flu stories.
Given the panic following swine flu-related deaths in the past few days, the channels are being urged not to add to the sense of alarm. Instead, the I&B Ministry would like them to send out the message that swine flu is curable and that people should get tested and treated only at designated centres.
Last Friday, Health Secretary Naresh Dayal had sought the cooperation of the media in containing the panic. Referring to instances of TV reporters approaching laboratories for testing and then reporting that patients were being turned away without being tested, he said: “Please desist from frivolous testing. Please remember that only those persons will be tested who show symptoms of swine flu.”
