Broadcast of a viral video of beating of an aged retired police inspector by goons in Shivkuti, Allahabad EMMC report stated that the channels broadcasted a video that went viral from Shivkuti, Allahabad, which shows some goons beating an old retired police inspector to death with sticks. The video showed a goon first stopping the old man on the way and beating him with a stick and thereafter two more goons joining him. The video showed passersby/nearby-crowd running away from the place. The visuals shown were disturbing (Note:*India News & and Polimer News are not members of NBA. Hence no action can be taken by NBSA with regard to these two channels). Replies of the Broadcasters: NBSA noted that both the broadcasters stated that the news story not only brought to focus, the reprehensible behavior of the persons inflicting the fatal injuries but also the conduct of the onlookers who allowed this incident to take place without protest or intervention. The channels felt that the story was indicative of not just the brutalities that are so casually meted out, but also of the apathy of the people witnessing such brutalities, which conveyed a sense of invincibility to the persons carrying out the brutalities.. The channels stated that however, in future, they would consider reducing the length of time for which such clips are aired, as advised by the EMMC.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcasters and also viewed the CD. NBSA was of the view that the broadcasts were in public interest and that the broadcaster had done their duty by reporting the incident. NBSA found no violation of any Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA was also of the view that the broadcaster should have avoided airing gory visuals continuously for such long durations while reporting such incident. However, in view of the assurance by the broadcasters that they would in future, reduce the time of airing such gory visuals. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Broadcast of a video on 10.07.2018, of eve teasing of a student in Nalanda, Bihar EMMC report stated that the channels broadcasted news related to an incident of eve teasing of a student in Nalanda (Bihar). The news report stated that a known person called the student to his house where three other persons were present and they tried to molest her. The boys made a video of this incident and made it viral on social media. Replies of the Broadcasters: All the 3 channels/broadcasters submitted that the said video was widely circulated on social media platforms and the intention of the channels was not to sensationalize the horrific incident or denigrate the victim in any manner whatsoever; that the aim was to inform the public about the said incident and ensure that action was taken by the law enforcement agencies against the perpetrators of the horrific activity.. This video was duly blurred and the identity of the victim in question was not disclosed instead the video stills of the perpetrators was shown to shame of acting in a such a beastly manner and help the police administration to identify them to take appropriate action. Further, such telecasts also deter the perpetrators of the crime. The news channels would be failing in its duty if such incidences are not brought to the attention of public, as it is a part of media’s duty to highlight offences against women and marginalized section of the society, which is adversely affecting the public life in current society.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcasters and also viewed the broadcasts. NBSA was of the view that the broadcasts were justifiable on the ground of public interest, as it is a part of media’s duty to highlight instances of condemnable conduct and actions, affecting the public in current society. NBSA did not find anything objectionable in the broadcasts nor any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a video of beating of a worker by petrol pump owner in Haushangabad, MP EMMC report stated that the channels broadcasted a video of a petrol pump owner beating a worker in Madhya Pradesh’s Hoshangabad district. The channels stated that the owner of the petrol pump beat a Dalit worker named Ajay for failing to turn up to for work without informing, as Ajay did not turn up to work for 4-5 days as he met with an accident. The report observed that the channels showed the video without blurring it. Replies of the Broadcasters: All the 8 channels/broadcasters stated that the said news was broadcast with the sole objective of informing the public at large about the shocking incident of a Dalit employee (petrol pump attendant) being beaten by the employer (owner of the petrol pump) for merely taking an unauthorised leave. The news item was broadcast to highlight the atrocities made against the employee. There was no intention whatsoever of the channel to sensationalize the horrific incident but instead, the aim was to bring it to the notice of the concerned authorities and force them to take strict and swift action against the perpetrators. As a news channel they believe that it is their duty to expose such crimes in the larger public interest so that perpetrators of such acts could be put behind bars. They pointed out that as a result of the broadcast, a case was registered against the accused and they were arrested.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcasters and also viewed the broadcasts. NBSA noted that the broadcasts were in public interest and it was the duty of the media to highlight, report and expose such brutality, and therefore such news should not be suppressed; and reporting such incidents would act as an catalyst to prod the law and order machinery of the State to take strict action against the perpetrators of such gruesome acts. NBSA was of the view that the broadcasters had done their duty by reporting the incident and it found no violation of any Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a video of three boys eve teasing a woman in Unnao, UP EMMC report stated that the channels had reported about a video from Gangaghat Police Station area in Unnao district (UP) that went viral on social media. The video showed three boys eve teasing a woman, with a voiceover that some people kidnapped a woman and tried to force themselves on her. The channels showed the video in which three people are shown dragging a woman towards the jungle and threatening to make an obscene video involving her, while the woman begs for mercy. The channels showed the pleas of the women through subtitles, such as “Bhaiya don’t do this”. Though the channels blurred some part of the video images, the contents were clearly discernable. Response from broadcasters All the 12 channels/broadcasters stated that impugned broadcast was aired with a view to highlight the violence against women and to expose such crimes in the larger public interest. The clip in question showed the video which had gone viral in which three people are dragging a woman towards the jungle and threatening her to make an obscene video of her, in spite of the woman begging for mercy. Broadcasters submitted that since they were aware that the clip was of a sensitive nature, they took care to blur the face of the victim; and that the clip did not contain any content which denigrates women through the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman, her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals. The channels stated that they had put out the news story in an objective manner while maintaining sensitivity on the subject matter being reported; that the telecast was solely in public interest; and that the reportage led to (more so impacted) registration of FIR and arrest of the perpetrators.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC report, response from the broadcasters and also viewed the broadcasts. NBSA noted that though the visuals were disturbing, the broadcasters had blurred the visuals of the woman and that it was clear that the object of the broadcasters was to focus on the issue of safety of women and to make the society aware of such atrocities and catalyze the authorities to take some action. NBSA found that the broadcasts were in public interest and did not violate any Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines. NBSA was of the view that no action was called for on the complaint and decided to close the complaint and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Complaint is that in connection with their programme titled "Cover Story" aired on 1.6.2018 Suvarna News Channel, the channel had illegally procured a Schedule II Wild animal (Spectacle Cobra), illegally and carelessly transported, held the animal in captivity and released the snake in a security room of a go down in Chamrajpet, Bangalore; that they then called various snake rescuers and catchers with the intention of rescuing the snake unsuccessfully; that they finally called the complainant to rescue snake to achieve their cheap objective. The complainant alleged that the channel lied to the general public about a snake entering a house in Giringar and creating a fear psychosis among the public and thereby committed offences punishable under several Sections of the Indian Penal Code including Section 109 and 120B; and that their own admission of enacting a live snake rescue in Chamrajpet on air, they have colluded in violation of Section 9, 39, 48A and 49 of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 by claiming in public that they have procured the Cobra illegally, thereby creating a demand for illegal wildlife. The complainant alleged that they portrayed him in poor light demeaning his conservation efforts and questioned his integrity, airing the programme with the caption “In case you wish to have someone vacate their homes, just call BBMP Forest cell volunteers, and they will illegally arrange to put a snake inside their homes for a price”. Response from Broadcaster: The broadcaster in its response stated that “Cover Story” is a popular Kannada news programme of their channel, which focuses on exposing all types of scams / mafias in the society through sting operations or reality checks across the State of Karnataka; that the alleged episode was targeted at one such mafia, that is snake mafia, existing in Bangalore; that this episode was not only in the interest of the public but also is in the interest of wild life conservation and protection; and that the news story exposed some people who in the disguise of being wild life volunteers recognized or authorised by the BBMP to protect the wild life, are in fact trading in them, for their own benefit. The channel stated, at no point of time, the channel or its crew held or transported a snake in violation of any provision of law and that it had merely reported on the existing mafia nexus through their sting operations. The channel stated that the sting operation was carried out in two parts to expose the snake mafia. The first part of the sting operation related to engaging a volunteer catch snakes which enter the premises of an urban resident and the difficulties in contacting snake rescuers. In this pursuit, they tried to reach out to many of the snake rescuers and finally succeeded in contacting Mr. Harsha (complainant); that the complaint suppressed and concealed the fact that he is a BBMP recognised and authorised snake rescuer and he demanded Rs. 800/- for catching the snake and later settled for Rs 500/-; and that this was captured by their hidden camera and was telecast in the episode. The channel contended that the programme Cover Story exposed the complainant demanding money from the public, by concealing the fact that he is a BBMP authorised snake rescuer. The channel stated that the second part of the sting operation, was targeted to expose a bigger crime. For this purpose, the channel team prepared the following story: "Our relatives are not vacating the house. We want a cobra to enter their house and later we will vacate them saying this house has Nagadosha.”; that they approached another so-called wild life activist who directed them to the complainant, claiming that he (the complainant) was an expert in such activities; that the complainant who alleged that the channel illegally procured the snake, was in fact regularly indulging and involving in the activity of getting snakes for evicting occupants/tenants (as confessed by him); and that the complainant has been a part of the mafia nexus, which the channel has exposed under the sting operations. The channel contended that the episode was aired for the very purpose of exposing/embarrassing such mafia activity. The channel alleged that having been caught and embarrassed in such a nefarious activity he (complainant) is targeting the channel’s sting operation by falsely alleging that the Cover Story team of the channel had a snake in its possession; that not even a single frame of the episode showed any snake in their custody or transportation of a snake at any point of time, as alleged in the complaint; and that they had merely reported on the existing mafia through their sting operations and caught the complainant red handed.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that the content of the broadcast was within the editorial discretion/freedom and found no violation of its Regulations or Guidelines. NBSA was also of the view that the sting operation had been conducted in public interest and did not violate the NBSA Guidelines for Conducting Sting Operations dated 27.2.2012. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

General observations received from viewers regarding reporting by news channels Observations received from viewers regarding the reporting of Pulwama attacks and the air strike.

28.3.2019
NBSA decided that since the same are of general nature no action on the same is called for.

The complaint is that the anchor has been articulating very derogatory views to question the strike by IAF at the terror camps in Pakistan and ended up asking why the CRPF/India should really avenge Pulwama when more number of CRPF people were killed in Naxal acts/internal issues. The anchor tried extend his deep sympathies to Pakistan by saying that Pak is fighting internal issues like Naxals in India. Response from the broadcaster The broadcaster submitted that the “Super-Prime Time” programme telecast on 26.2.2019 discussed the Air Strike at Balakot, Pakistan by the Indian Air Force. During the discussions, the unfortunate killing of CRPF personnel by a suicide bomber at Pulwama was also discussed. During the course of discussions, the anchor raised the issue of killings of CRPF personnel by Naxalites in Dantewada region. It emerged from the discussions that what happened in Dantewada is due to internal insurgency and that Pakistan sponsored terrorism and proxy war is happening at Jammu & Kashmir. It was also mentioned that Pakistan by encouraging terrorist organisations in its soil does not consider it as a problem but as its capability or asset.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response and viewed the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any broadcasting standards or guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint is that on 15.12.2018, in its programme “Veergatha”, Zee Hindustan channel broadcast a programme on Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar; that in the said programme, the guests and historians spoke at length about him and addressed him with his correct name and ancestry as Suheldev Bhar or Rajbhar, but the anchor however addressed Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar Ji as Paasi; and that the Rajbhar community is disturbed and hurt. Reply dated 15.2.2019 from the broadcaster: Broadcaster submitted that the ‘Veergatha’ programme showcases the bravery of unsung heroes, who have contributed to the cause of the nation/society; that the programme in question showcased the life and bravery of Maharaj Suheldev based on historical records, facts and available information; and that the broadcast also included the views/statement of facts of noted historians. Broadcaster stated that it did not allege that ‘Maharaja Suheldev’ belonged to any particular community, but instead stated that there were different opinions among historians about the caste origins or community of ‘Maharaja Suheldev’ (as was evident from various web-links available in public domain); and that the intent of the program was not to highlight the community of the great king who was a savior of Hindu culture, but to showcase his bravery.

25.2.2019
NBSA at its meeting held on 25.2.2019 considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that for balanced coverage the broadcaster could have given an opportunity to a representative from the Rajbhar community to present the views of the community and that was missing in the programme. However, on an overall consideration, NBSA decided to close the matter with a direction to the channel to be more careful while airing such programmes.

The complaint is that a programme broadcast on “News18 Urdu” titled “Bulletin” on 16.12.2018 was in contravention of various provisions of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards as also Guidelines. Complainant alleged that the channel reported that during Pulwama encounter seven civilians were killed and showed their family members and relatives mourning the killing of civilians. According to the complainant, the seven civilians referred to by the channel were actually stone-pelters who were intentionally present at the encounter site to disturb the actions of army/police and they were actually throwing stones at the army personnel. The complainant further alleged that the whole news report was one-sided and distorted so as to mislead the civilians of Kashmir Valley to distrust the army. He alleged that the channel did not cover the story of the army jawans who were martyred during Pulwama encounter. Reply dated 8.2.2019 from the broadcaster: Broadcaster submitted that said news was about an anti-militancy operation that took place in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on 15th December 2018; that it had no intention whatsoever to sensationalize or glamorize the incident but instead, the aim was to inform the public at large about the said incident; that through the said news bulletin, they informed the public about the security arrangements made by the administration for ensuring the safety and security of the general public; and that in their news bulletin, they had also carried the views of the various political leaders on the loss of lives of people during the said anti-militancy operation. The broadcaster also stated that on 15th December 2018, they ran tickers on News18 Urdu, wherein viewers were informed that the Hon’ble Governor of Jammu and Kashmir took a security review with senior officials of state administration and the security forces.

25.2.2019
NBSA at its meeting held 25.2.2019 considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster, viewed the broadcast and perused the English translation of the script. NBSA found no violation of its Regulations or Guidelines in regard to the said broadcast, as the content of the broadcast was within the editorial discretion/freedom. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint was about the practice of all news channels in disguising promotions of products or schemes of a government or achievements of a political parties, under the garb of programmes titled as ‘Impact Feature’. The manner in which the purportedly manipulated information was packaged for the consumption of the general public, in the shape of news, was improper and unfair.

25.2.2019
NBSA found considerable merit in the complaint and suggestion made by the complainant. It therefore decided that the following be circulated among all members (and their editors and legal heads), as Point No. 6 of the Guidelines on “Norms & Guidelines on Paid News” for their compliance: 6. Every news broadcasting organization shall disclose conspicuously and continuously in an appropriate manner during the entire broadcast of a program, on their television channel/s and on their website/s, including during a news, current affairs, sports, entertainment or promotional broadcast as to whether the content of such broadcast has been paid for by or on behalf of the Entity that is subject matter of such broadcast in any manner whatsoever ; and whether such broadcast is an “advertorial” or other media marketing initiative. “Advisory regarding promotional programmes not being tagged as an advertisement”. dated 4.4.2019 was issued by NBSA and also sent to the complainant.