The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), a self-regulatory body of private TV channels, on Monday has issued four orders directing private news channels India TV, Aaj Tak, Zee News, Zee Hindustan, and News18 to remove content which are misreported and misrepresenting facts.
The first petition, filed by advocate Indrajeet Ghorpade on November 30, 2020, was against Zee News, Zee Hindustan, India TV and Aaj Tak on the alleged media trial against activist Umar Khalid in the Delhi riots’ case. The NBDSA also directed the channels that the video of the said broadcast, if still available on the website of the channel, or YouTube, or any other links, be removed immediately, and the same should be confirmed to NBDSA in writing within 7 days of receipt of the Order.
NBDSA, in its decision dated June 13 said, “The media has the freedom to report on any subject matter concerning public interest. It is a fact that riots took place in Delhi. It is also a fact that Umar Khalid was arrested by the Police, and the Police have filed a charge sheet alleging that Umar Khalid was the mastermind behind these riots. It can also be assumed that these riots would amount to anti- national activities. Therefore, airing news on the channel about riots and about the alleged involvement of Umar Khalid as per police report was within the rights of the news channels. However, an important question that arises at this stage is whether the media has the right to treat the police report as gospel truth and on that basis, proceed to discuss the programme as if charge of inciting violence leading to riots stands proved against Umar Khalid? Obviously, that is not permissible,”
“If the media proceeds on the basis that investigation into the matter by the Police and stating that there is sufficient evidence against Umar Khalid is to be considered as charges having been proved against Umar Khalid, that would amount to trial by media and holding a person guilty of charges even when it is yet to be proved in a court of law,” the statement added.
NBDSA took serious objection to the sensationalist taglines and tickers aired during the broadcasts such as “Umar Khalid is the Mastermind of Delhi riots”, “Umar Khalid plotted the Delhi riots”, “He burnt Delhi, he is not a comrade, he is a rioter”, “Umar Kahlid and Sharjeel Imam biggest Masterminds”, “Sharjeel-Umar incited violence”, “In the name of Muslims, Umar-Sharjeel plan riot”, “Command of the protest (anti- CAA)…plan for a riot; “Umar Khalid is a terrorist?” which gave an impression that the accused had already been declared guilty. In view of the same, the broadcasts violated the principles of Impartiality, Objectivity and Neutrality enshrined under the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards and Guidelines issued by the Authority.
“No doubt, some of the taglines contained question marks. If all taglines were with question marks along with specific contents that these were charges only and yet to be proved, the matter would have been different. Insofar as the programmes in question is concerned, when viewed in entirety, the broadcasters cannot deny the fact that these taglines create a certain perception amongst the public. Therefore, it is important that taglines and/or hashtags be used carefully especially in controversial matters,” NBDSA statement read.
Debate on population control regulation
In another order, the regulatory body has directed ZEE News to take down a show titled “Kudrat bahana hain, Muslim abaadi badana hain?” (nature is an excuse, increasing muslim population is the goal?).
The complaints were filed by Saurav Das, Indrajeet Ghorpade and Citizens for Justice & Peace.
The Authority observed that the media is free to conduct debates on any subject and invite any panelist of its choice, however the debate must be balanced and conducted in accordance with the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards (Code of Ethics) and the Guidelines issued by NBDSA.
The Authority also observed that as per the submissions of the broadcasters the intention of the broadcasts was not to give the debate a religious or communal color but the programmes were aired to debate on the growth of the population in India, the two child policy proposed by the Uttar Pradesh Government and the statement made by Mr. Shafiqur Rahman and Samajwadi Party MP on the proposed legislation.
However,the Authority noted that the headline of the programme “कुदरतबहानाह,ैमस्ुलिम आबादी बढाना ह?ै ” was telecast without any data or substantial material to support it and during the hearing the channel could not justify this statement contained in the headline. If the broadcasters desired to debate the two-child policy proposed by the UP Government, the tagline/headline could have been avoided and a more neutral and objective tagline could have been displayed during the debate.
NBDSA, therefore, directed that the video of the said broadcasts, if still available on the website of the channel, or YouTube, or any other links, should be removed immediately, and the same should be confirmed to NBDSA in writing within 7 days of receipt of theOrder.
