The complainant alleged NDTV India by spreading false rumours about the Corona virus pandemic, attempted to spread fear in the country. The complainant stated that the broadcaster aired a news report stating that in the next three months, India can expect to see a spike of nearly 25 crore cases of Corona virus in the country. If NDTV news report was to be believed, then nearly 20% of the Indian population would be afflicted with Corona virus. Further, the complainant stated that the impugned news report had been denied by John Hopkins University. The broadcaster, in its response dated 16.11.2020, stated that the impugned news article was not written by NDTV but was a report by a national news agency, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS). Further, several other prominent news websites also ran the report claiming that India is set to witness a huge spike in Covid-19 cases. The broadcaster stated that the claim itself was attributed to a Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) – John Hopkins University Report. However, later when the University stated that it had not authorized the use of its logo in the joint CDDED – John Hopkins report, which was quoted by the media houses, NDTV deleted the IANS story on this report. The broadcaster further stated that news is an evolving process, and as a responsible news channel, it reports the latest information and all relevant updates in real-time and with careful attention to facts as well as to reporting all sides of the story.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint and the response from the broadcaster and found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore, decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that Aaj Tak, on 2.7.2020, had aired a news report disclosing sensitive military information, particularly about the movement of "Paramilitary Commandos" and their Operation names "Rolls". The complainant questioned how such sensitive military information could be broadcast and that news report such as the one aired by Aaj Tak not only harms the Indian Army but also demoralizes them. The broadcaster, in its response dated 30.11.2020, denied all the allegations levelled against it in the complaint. The broadcaster stated that the impugned news report only showed that the paramilitary forces had been deployed, and no details regarding the military operations were covered in the segment. The broadcaster further stated that information about the deployment of paramilitary forces was already in the public domain and had been broadcasted on other news channels as well. Moreover, the broadcaster stated that the news report was aired in public interest to ensure that the viewers are aware of the important events of India and the world. It takes its duty to disseminate accurate information to its viewers very seriously and while doing so it would never compromise on national security or public safety.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint and the response from the broadcaster. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

Mr. Prasanth PR, Editor member representing the broadcaster in NBSA (Asianet News), being an interested party, recused himself from the proceedings. The complainant alleged that a news report aired by Asianet News on 3.5.2020 showed gross negligence of the broadcaster and also disgraced and degraded the brave heart martyrs who fought for our country in Kashmir. The complainant alleged that the commentary of the reporter in the impugned report was highly anti-national & inflammatory in nature. It was clear from the words used by the anchor that he was in support of the cowardly terrorists & siding by them. The complainant sought an early intervention in the matter as news reports such as the one aired by the broadcaster not only targets our brave heart soldier but also attempts to damage their morale. The broadcaster, in its response dated 25.5.2020, stated the complaint refers to an inadvertent mistake that happened during a live programme. The broadcaster admitted that its reporter had wrongly said, "So, in the joint move done by the Army and Police, two soldiers could be “killed," but the same was merely due to a slip of the tongue. The broadcaster stated that on the realization of the mistake, it was immediately corrected from the very next bulletin. It reiterated that after watching the entire live report, anybody could understand that the mistake was not a deliberate act on the part of the reporter, and it was merely a slip of the tongue. Further, the broadcaster stated that its reporter had also expressed his regret and concern over the mistake through his Facebook page. Lastly, the broadcaster had reproached some ill-minded people for unethically editing the news report to create havoc on social media and to deviously accuse the reporter of indulging in anti-national activity. The broadcaster submitted that it had no intention to hurt the feelings of the Indian Army, and as a law-abiding news channel, it has always stood for the unity and integrity of our nation. It was brought to the notice of NBSA that the issue raised by the complainant has already been considered by the Authority at its meeting held on 10.7.2020, wherein NBSA had noted the action taken by the broadcaster to correct the error and also the regret expressed by the reporter through his Facebook page. NBSA had then decided to draw the attention of the broadcaster to the Guidelines of NBSA regarding issuing a “corrigendum” on the channel on which the broadcast took place and not on social media platforms like Twitter, Face Book etc.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint and the response from the broadcaster. NBSA reiterated the decision taken at its meeting held on 10.7.2020 with regard to the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint is against a news report aired on India Today on 20.7.2020 at 20:00 PM. The complainant alleged that the broadcaster has, after promoting Chinese military preparations in Chinese occupied Inner Mongolia, started promoting the Chinese propaganda of a massive Air Base at Hutan in Chinese occupied East Turkistan facing Ladakh. The broadcaster in its response dated 16.9.2020, denied the allegations levelled against it by the complainant. The broadcaster submitted that it runs an impartial TV channel and bears the responsibility of making its viewers aware of the actual happenings around the world. Further, its journalists work hard to bring refined and unblemished news to its viewers. The broadcaster further submitted that it believes and practices the gold standard of journalism, which means reporting transparent and true factual news to its esteemed viewers. The complainant submitted a further reply to the channel dated 16.9.2020, wherein he questioned how an India Today reporter was able to enter the Chinese Occupied Inner Mongolia, which is a forbidden land even for foreign tourists keeping in mind such restrictions, he further questioned how did the broadcaster’s reporter enter the training grounds of the enemy nation in Inner Mongolia and also get photographs of the military training facilities. That it appeared that the impugned programme was doctored to break the morale of the Indian Army. Further, he stated that promotion and advertisement of the supposed strength of the enemy lowers the morale of the people of India.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that it is not an investigating agency which would probe as to how the journalist entered a restricted area. NBSA is supposed to examine the contents of the impugned broadcast on the touchstone of the Code of Ethics and Guidelines NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore, decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA did not find anything in the broadcast which was aimed at lowering the morale of Indian Army. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint is regarding the use of the term “India Administered Kashmir” by NDTV news channel in its programme BBC Duniya aired on 22.4.2020 at 22:00 PM. The broadcaster, in its response dated 16.11.2020, stated that the impugned programme was produced by BBC. The broadcaster has objected to the use of the term ‘Indian administered Kashmir’. The broadcaster submitted that it was informed by BBC that based on international law, it was BBC’s standard practice to identify the disputed areas as such. However, the broadcaster submitted that BBC had assured that the said term shall not be used during the broadcast on NDTV. The broadcaster further also apologized for any inconvenience caused.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, the response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA accepted the response of the broadcaster and decided that the broadcaster should be advised to be more careful in future and to verify third party content before it is telecast. NBSA, decided to close the complaint with the above observations and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that India TV on 19.6.2020 had broadcast a news report disclosing the movement of Indian Army trucks and fighter planes taking off from Leh. Similar news was also covered by other news channels. The complainant raised serious concerns relating to national security, questioning why television media was allowed to record, transmit, publish and widely telecast the movement status of the Indian Armed Forces. The broadcaster, in its response dated 8.8.2020, stated that the footage and information used in the impugned news program had been received from government and army sources and such locations are covered by its reporters only after obtaining due permissions from the concerned authorities.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that ABP News on 19.6.2020 at 12:00 AM had broadcast a news report disclosing India’s military preparedness and latest warfare equipment against China. The complainant stated that similar disclosures were made by other TV channels as well and questioned why channels are given liberty to disclose India’s defence secrets. The complainant suggested that there should be a ban on TV channels visiting defence posts or any such locations. The broadcaster, in its response dated 18.8.2020, stated that the channel had broadcast the impugned news report in accordance with Government and Media Advisory. The broadcaster submitted that it had never shown live footage of Indian aircraft and had instead used only deferred and file footages. Further, it ensured that the strategically vulnerable locations around LAC were not disclosed and aired only to assuage the fear amongst people about Chinese incursion and to assure them that they are safe.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that every day at 22:30 PM, ETV Andhra Pradesh was telecasting programmes that was infringing the copyright of BBC content. The complainant also alleged that the broadcaster was copying content from different world-wide channels and telecasting the same in its program named, "Aura" which was aired at 17:30 PM every Sunday. The broadcaster, in its response dated 4.8.2020, denied the allegations made by the complainant. The broadcaster submitted that it had intended to broadcast programmes produced by BBC, to the public of Andhra Pradesh, in Telugu language and therefore, had approached BBC for their permission/license to broadcast their content on ETV Andhra Pradesh in Telugu language. Consequently, the broadcaster submitted that it had entered into an agreement dated 17.7.2017 with BBC, under which license was granted to broadcast BBC content in Telugu language on ETV Andhra Pradesh. The broadcaster stated that it was not able to furnish further details as it was bound by a confidentiality clause under the said agreement. With respect to the programme “AURA”, the broadcaster submitted that it had discontinued the aforesaid programme a year ago.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint and the response from the broadcaster. NBSA noted that since the issue of copyright infringement does not fall within its jurisdiction, it cannot proceed with the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

Mr. Prasanth PR, Editor member representing the broadcaster in NBSA (Suvarna News), being an interested party, recused himself from the proceedings. The complainant alleged that Suvarna News violated the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 by encouraging broadcasts on superstitions or blind beliefs. The complainant stated that the broadcaster was misleading the public by broadcasting astrological predictions, effects of solar eclipse and lunar eclipse and remedies by fake gurujis and other misleading programmes. The complainant accused the broadcaster of broadcasting programmes that are "intimidating" and "horrifying" the public; and which were adversely affecting the mental health of people, sometimes even leading to depression. The complainant highlighted a list of misleading programmes and shared the You Tube links for the years 2017 to 2020. The broadcaster, in its response dated 29.7.2020, denied airing programmes that were intimidating, horrifying and defaming anybody, nor did they have any intention to affect the mental well-being of any individual. The programs were in complete adherence to the guidelines of the MIB. They did not attempt to encourage superstition or blind belief among the general public. Further, the programs referred to by the complainant covered the opinion of all sections of society, including astrologers as well as the scientific community. The broadcaster also stated that the program was not unique to Suvarna News alone as almost all news and entertainment channels in Karnataka including newspapers covered these programs. The broadcaster stated that the so-called “fake” gurujis referred to in the complaint are renowned astrologers and personalities revered by the general public in Karnataka and frequently appear on all channels and programs in Karnataka. The broadcaster submitted that there were often contradictions by people who do not believe in astrology. The channel has always made an attempt to bring in members of the scientific community to express their opinion on these predictions made by astrologers and to inform the general public of the scientific reasons for a solar/lunar eclipse and debunk age-old beliefs and superstitions surrounding these events.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that India TV had telecast a programme on 18.6.2020 at 6:30 pm, which showed the movement of army convoys from Leh, which other media channels had also telecast. The complainant acknowledged the important role media plays in disseminating information but stated that while doing so, the security of the nation is paramount. The complainant, therefore, requested for guidelines to be issued to all forms of media through the respective ministry to avoid showing videos of strategic installations and movement of army convoys. The broadcaster, in its response dated 13.7.2020, submitted that the only footage telecast in the program related to people/leaders paying their respects to the fallen heroes of our army. The broadcaster submitted that the news reports on the ongoing situation at the India China border were based on government briefings to the media and information/footage shared by the army/ government authorities. Further, the visuals were shot by the broadcaster’s camera team only after obtaining due permission.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.