Mr. Prasanth PR, Editor member representing the broadcaster in NBSA (Asianet News), being an interested party, recused himself from the proceedings. The complaint is regarding the programme “Katha Nunakkatha” aired on Asianet Malayalam news channel on 12.6.2020 at 16:40 pm. The complainant stated that the broadcaster had, while reporting on the current border conflict between India and the People's Republic of China along the 'Line of actual Control' had shown an incomplete map of the Republic of India. The complainant stated that during re telecast of the program at 11:30 am on 13.6.2022, it admitted the violation. The complainant’s objection was with the justification advanced by the broadcaster that the violation happened while collecting information from various countries. The complainant stated that it was surprising to learn that a leading regional news channel in the country was using information from various countries to use the map of the country while the ‘Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards states that 'All news channels would use specific maps mandated by law and Indian Government rules'. The complainant stated that it had become a regular practice of the broadcaster to telecast programs promoting anti-national sentiments and express apology when noticed by viewers and the general public. He drew the attention of NBSA of the action taken by MOI&B when the channel was taken off air for 48 hours, on 6.3.2020, for telecasting news on the riots in parts of Delhi. Reply dated 16.7.2020 from the broadcaster: The broadcaster, in its response, admitted that it had committed an inadvertent error of wrongly showing the map of our country in the programme titled Kadha Nunakudha. The anchor explained how such a wrong visual got included in the programme while discussing the current India - China border issue, which is a case of extreme gravity and as a responsible media organization, it had to check and verify multiple news sources from in and out of the country. By mistake, one visual from such a news source wrongly got mixed up in the programme, and thereby the wrong map of India was shown in the programme, which was a technical error and unintentional. The broadcaster submitted that in the impugned programme, it had categorically and absolutely stated that China's claim was false and fabricated. Broadcaster submitted that on notice of the error, as a responsible news channel and as per NBSA regulations, they removed the alleged portion from the programme and also expressed unconditional apology for the unintentional error in the repeat telecast dated 13.6.2020 @ 11.30 AM. The broadcaster reiterated that it had apologized for the wrong act and that such an apology was unconditional, and it was specifically stated in the statement made by the anchor in the repeat telecast.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, the response from the broadcaster, and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that while the broadcaster had taken action of removing the footage and also aired an apology, NBSA was of the view that since showing an incorrect map of India in a broadcast was unacceptable. NBSA decided that a warning be issued to the broadcaster directing them to be more careful while using the map of India in their programmes and any further violation would be viewed seriously and action taken accordingly. NBSA, decided to close the complaint with the above observations and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint is regarding a news report aired on India TV on 14.4.2020. The complainant alleged that the anchor while reporting the crowding at Bandra Railway Station, Mumbai, had attempted to communalise the issue. The complainant further stated that during the impugned news report, the anchor was asking questions like who had called the individuals who had gathered in large numbers outside the Jama Masjid in Bandra and why these individuals did not carry any luggage with them if they were travelling back home. The complainant questioned the intention of the anchor behind such kind of inquiry and stated that such news report has a tendency to spread hatred in the society. The broadcaster, in its response dated 10.7.2020, stated that the impugned programme was based on the incident that happened in Mumbai when thousands of individuals gathered in large numbers at the Bandra Station when some rumours were spread that trains would be plying to take them to their hometowns. The broadcaster further stated that the programme highlighted this incident and also reported how this could endanger the lives of people gathered there and lead to failure of all measures adopted by the Government. The broadcaster admitted that in the impugned programme, it had reported that the gathering was outside ‘Bandra station’ as this was factually correct. However, the reference to the ‘Mosque’ was only to better identify the actual place of the incident which was visible in the visuals of the incident. The broadcaster, therefore, submitted that it merely reported the incident as it had occurred, and it had no intention to communalize the incident or to spread hate against any community or provoke communalism.

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 News Nation had telecast a programme on 17.4.2020 at 4:20 pm, which showed soldiers were being sent from Bangalore to Jammu by train. The complainant stated that while the news report was aired to show the trains were being sanitized, however, such report revealed sensitive information which could adversely affect the safety of the soldiers by allowing terrorists to track their movements. The broadcaster, in its response dated 17.7.2020, stated that the impugned programme was telecast to show news related to Covid -19 awareness and the steps taken by the government and the railways to safeguard the soldier’s movement during the current pandemic and the precautionary measures being adopted by them. The broadcaster stated that the information received by it was from ground zero. The broadcaster reiterated that not only do they adhere to strict journalistic practices and ethics, but it is against its editorial policy and journalistic practice to show or telecast anything which can hamper the security of the soldiers or is against the national interest.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, the response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage/CD 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.

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 on 20.3.2020, Asianet News aired fake news about the number of deaths due to coronavirus in India. The complainant stated that while the actual deaths reported in India were only 5, the broadcaster had aired a news report stating that 50 Indians had died in the state of Maharashtra due to coronavirus. The broadcaster, in its response dated 17.8.2020, stated that although the complainant had failed to mention the exact time of broadcast, it had scrutinized all the news reports that were aired on 20.3.2020 and came to the conclusion that it had not aired any news report as alleged in the complaint. The broadcaster admitted to airing a headline in its news ticker stating that “Covid confirmed for 3 more in Maharashtra with this the number of Covid patients in Maharashtra has become 52” on 20.3.2020 and asserted that may be the complainant had misrepresented this news ticker and filed the complaint.

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.

The complainant stated that Harsh Mander was running down India by targeting the Modi Government over Corona virus. Further, he also accused NDTV anchor Sarah Jacob of being an urban Naxal sympathizer, who, according to the complainant, had no love for her country. The complaint further stated that “we the people warn this Christian woman”. The broadcaster, in its response dated 18.8.2020, stated that the complainant has used derogatory terms in his complaint and has sought to target the anchor on the basis of her religion. The broadcaster asserted that there was no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standard as alleged in the complaint. The broadcaster assured that its anchors/reporters/ interviewers follow ethical journalistic practices and are committed to upholding the core values of journalism.

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.

The complainant stated that Harsh Mander was running down India by targeting the Modi Government over Corona virus. He also accused NDTV anchor Sarah Jacob of being an urban Naxal sympathizer, who, according to the complainant, had no love for her country. The complaint further stated that “we the people warn this Christian woman”. The broadcaster, in its response dated 18.8.2020, stated that the complainant has used derogatory terms in his complaint and has sought to target the anchor on the basis of her religion. The broadcaster asserted that there was no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards as alleged in the complaint. The broadcaster assured that its anchors/reporters/ interviewers follow ethical journalistic practices and are committed to upholding the core values of journalism.

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 complaint is regarding a news report aired by Asianet News on 17.4.2020. The complainant alleged that the broadcaster had in the impugned news report quoted the Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs as having said that Indians stuck oversees will not be brought back to India. The said statement was immediately denied by the Minister who, through his Twitter handle, clarified that the impugned news report was fake news. The complainant stated that by airing fake news, the broadcaster could have caused panic amongst the citizens, thereby adversely affecting law and order in the state, especially at a time when the entire government was focused on fighting the pandemic. The broadcaster, in its response dated 8.7.2020, stated that the news item aired in its news bulletin @ 12.30 PM on 17.4.2020 was based on the Facebook post of Central Minister Mr. Muraleedharan wherein the Minister had narrated in his Facebook post about the difficulties in bringing the Indian expatriates from abroad due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Further, the broadcaster stated that in its second bulletin aired at 13:00 PM on the same day, they had again mentioned the difficulties as posted by the Minister but had also focused on the stand taken by the Union Government before the High Court of Kerala for bringing home all Indian expatriates in Gulf nations in the light of Covid pandemic. The broadcaster reiterated that it had not mentioned anything in conflict with what the Central Minister had stated on his Facebook post.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and the translation of the Facebook post of the Minister dated 16.4.2020 and viewed the footage of the broadcast. 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 decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint is regarding a news report aired on NDTV India on 24.2.2020 at 9:00 pm. The complainant alleged that the anchor of the Prime Time show, while reporting on the North East Delhi riots, had wrongly identified the accused Shahrukh as Anurag Mishra. The complainant stated that by portraying a Muslim accused as Hindu, the anchor has not only attempted to disturb the communal harmony in the society but also malign the reputation of Hindus. The complainant further accused the anchor of politicizing the matter. The broadcaster, in its response dated 16.11.2020, stated that the impugned news report was aired on 26.2.2020. The broadcaster stated that it seems that the complainant has seen the cropped version of the video, which had been circulated on different platforms and not the complete programme aired by it on 26.2.2020. Further, in the impugned news report, the broadcaster stated it had emphasized the identity of the accused and on the question of whether the police were able to arrest the accused or not. The report also carried the official statement of DCP, where the officer clarified that the accused's name is Shahrukh.

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 complaint is regarding a news report aired on NDTV India on 24.2.2020 at 9:00 pm. The complainant alleged that the anchor of the Prime Time show, while reporting on the North East Delhi riots, had wrongly identified the accused in a red shirt as Anurag Mishra despite the statement of DCP (North) that the accused was, in fact, one Shahrukh. The complainant further stated that such kind of journalism not only has the tendency to spread hate but should also be banned for attempting to spread communal disharmony in society. The broadcaster, in its response dated 18.8.2020, stated that the impugned news report was aired on 26.2.2020 and not on 24.4.2020 as alleged in the complaint. The broadcaster stated that it seems that the complainant has seen the cropped version of the video, which had been circulated on different platforms and not the complete programme aired by it on 26.2.2020. Further, in the impugned news report, the broadcaster stated it had emphasized the identity of the accused and on the question of whether the police were able to arrest the accused or not. Moreover, the report also carried the official statement of DCP, where the officer clarified that the accused's name is Shahrukh.

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.

Letter/representation dated 14.8.2020 of the complainant is regarding issuance of an advisory on debates aired on TV channels and compliance with specifications on “Broadcasting of Potentially Defamatory” content Clause C and to issue a clarification on the term “Acrimonious” and to instruct anchors and media channels not to indulge in acts of personal name-calling, instigation and mike control. The anchor should stand responsible for the acts of their panel thereby acting as a mitigatory force rather than a catalyst to heated deliberation. In essence, the anchor shall ensure that the decency and civility of the debate is not lost.

18.2.2021
The letter and representation were considered by NBSA at its meeting held on 18.2.2021. NBSA decided that the complainant be informed that the Authority considers each complaint that comes before it for violation of the Code of Ethics & Guidelines and takes suitable action accordingly. If there is any specific complaint against any broadcaster, they may bring if before the NBSA for its consideration. NBSA also decided that the complainant be informed that the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the matter of Mahesh Narayan Singh & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. had laid down guidelines pertaining to the role of anchor in a news programme in particular their duty to prevent the programme from drifting beyond permissible limits. NBSA decided that the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Court should be sent to the complainant. NBSA, decided to close the complaint with the aforesaid observations.