NEW DELHI: For the first time ever, the Delhi Government’s Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) is to monitor content being broadcast by news channels.

This follows instructions from the Delhi chief minister’s office.

Interestingly, former chief minister Sheila Dikshit had also mooted the idea at one stage, but dropped the idea for fear of backlash from the media.

The current order directs DIP officials to monitor news channels from 9 am to 11 pm.

Delhi government sources said a team of three has been asked to keep tabs on news channels and send a daily report to the CMO.

“Besides recording everything going on air, the team has been directed to make a brief of all news items, especially those related to Delhi and the Delhi government,” said a senior official.

Over the last few days, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and party workers have accused a section of media of being anti-Aam Aadmi Party.