Complainant alleged that there should be ban on debates on TV channels, which are based on religious, sensitive and inflammatory issues in national public interest

17.1.2019
NBSA at its meeting held on 17.1.2019, considered the complaint and noted that the choice of panelists and the presentation are all matters within editorial discretion and an individual's view or perception cannot be a ground to take action against a channel/s, in the absence of violation of the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MOI&B accordingly.

Complaint: Complainant stated that he is a regular investor in share market. On 31.10.2018 during market hours, a false news was flashed on CNBC TV 18 (English) news channel that Tide Water Oil Company India Ltd, a company listed on NSE and BSE, is considering voluntary delisting. Immediately the price of the shares of Tide Water Oil India touched upper circuit i.e., Rs. 6121.40 on NSE and Rs. 6100.80 on BSE. It is pertinent to note that the volume of shares jumped to 55087 shares (NSE) and 6927 shares (BSE) against average volume of around 2000 (NSE) and 300 (BSE). Thus, someone in collusion with the news channel has committed fraud by spreading false news thereby cheating ordinary persons. SEBI must investigate the matter to find out the ultimate beneficiary of this fraud Response from Broadcaster dated 28.12.2018: Broadcaster in its response denied the allegations made against them by the complainant that the news regarding the voluntary delisting of Tide Water Oil Company (India) Limited (‘Company’) flashed on their channel CNBC-TV18 on 31st October, 2018 is a false news. The broadcaster forwarded the notice dated 30th October, 2018 issued by the Company to the stock exchanges i.e. National Stock Exchange of India Limited, BSE Limited and The Calcutta Stock Exchange Limited informing them that in its 319th Board Meeting of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company, among other agenda items, would consider the proposal for voluntary delisting of equity shares of the Company from Calcutta Stock Exchange Limited. The said notice of the Company to the stock exchanges was also available on the websites of NSE and BSE.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response and also viewed the CD of the alleged broadcast. NBSA noted that the Notice dated 30th October, 2018 issued by the Company to the stock exchanges i.e. National Stock Exchange, BSE and The Calcutta Stock Exchange stated that in its 319th Board Meeting of the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company, among other agenda items, will consider the proposal for voluntary delisting of equity shares of the Company from Calcutta Stock Exchange Limited. NBSA noted that in the initial broadcast, the ticker run by the channel stated that “Tide Water Oil “Board to consider voluntary delisting on November 12”, and in the next ticker mentioned Tide Water Oil Board to consider de-listing from Kolkata Exchange, on November 12. NBSA was of the view that it was not within its remit to investigate into allegations of collusion / fraud in spreading false news to cheat investors. NBSA decided that as the ticker was based on a communication by Tide Water Oil Company Ltd., there was no violation of its Guidelines. NBSA however further decided that the broadcaster be advised to exercise more caution in dealing with reporting of financial matters and to ensure compliance of the “Specific Guidelines for Reporting by Business Channels”. NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the broadcaster, MoI&B and SEBI accordingly.

Showing visuals of beating mother-in-law by her daughter-in-law EMMC report stated that the channel had telecast a programme named “News Fuse”, which focused mainly on human interest stories of the society under the influence of politics, corruption, apathy, medical negligence etc. In this clip, CCTV footage was shown where a middle-aged woman is seen brutally assaulting her ailing mother-in-law. The bed ridden old lady was shown being thrashed by her daughter-in-law, showering harsh slaps on her face while she was lying on her bed. This cruelty was ragingly atrocious when she forcibly drags her out of her bed pushing her to the ground and leaving her there in a vulnerable condition. EMMC commented that the visuals shown by the channel were disturbing in nature. The video was prolonged for a long time without blurring the images. Reply from Broadcaster Broadcaster stated that the programme “NEWS FUSE” focuses mainly on human interest stories of the society under the influence of politics, corruption, apathy, medical negligence and degradation of human value and ethics etc. which started with a proper disclaimer. The alleged visual was aired with the sole object of saving elderly persons from physical and mental torture by their own family members. The broadcasters stated that its anchor had started by saying that, “if the caretaker commits atrocities then, what will happen in the society” and he also described that this visual must have been disturbing but this is aired to bring awareness in the society so that these types of inhuman act can be avoided. Throughout the telecast of the alleged visual the anchor had never stated any statement supporting or encouraging derogative remarks or cruelty on woman. Rather appeal and awareness was there to stay away from such inhuman and cruel practice on a bedridden old lady. The footage was from the CCTV camera for which the picture quality itself is very poor and hence it was not felt necessary to blur the visuals. Further neither the identities nor the facial parts were shown during the telecast. Broadcaster stated that the alleged visual was aired by several other channels also.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that the broadcast was in public interest as it highlighted brutality being meted out by a middle the aged woman to her ailing mother-in-law. The bed ridden old lady is seen being thrashed by her daughter-in-law, by harsh slaps on her face while she was lying on her bed. NBSA was of the view that such incidents should be reported and not suppressed and the brutality with which such heinous acts are done should also be shown so that the people know the fate of the elderly in the hands of their own people and the horror they go through in their own homes. It would facilitate the State machinery to take strict action against the persons resorting to such inhuman treatment on elderly persons. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster has only done its duty in public interest by reporting the incident and 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 MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing viral video of beating prisoners in a jail in Hamirpr, UP EMMC report stated that the channel had shown news in connection with thrashing of prisoners in a jail in Hamirpur of Uttar Pradesh. As per the news, the prisoners, when they refused to pay heed to the Jail Superintendent, were locked inside a room after making them kneel down and then they were severely beaten up by belts. The video, which had gone viral on social media, says the Jail Superintendent is the accused for this thrashing. The channel had shown the video in connection with the news in which two people appear to be badly beating up the prisoners. The channel had shown the entire video without getting it blurred. Reply from Broadcaster Broadcaster stated that the entire reportage of the aforesaid story was done with the objective and aim of highlighting the shocking incident that allegedly transpired within the jail premises; that there was no intention whatsoever of the channel to sensationalize or glamorize the horrific incident but instead, the aim was to bring this horrific incident to the notice of the concerned authorities and force them to take necessary actions against the illegal acts of the jail superintendent/jailor. The broadcaster stated that however they have sensitized and accordingly advised their editorial team to be more careful in future while airing footage of such incidents.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD of the broadcast. NBSA noted that the broadcast was in public interest in discharge of media’s duty to highlight any brutality meted out by a Jail Superintendent on to prisoners who were locked inside a room after making them kneel down and then being severely beaten up by belts. Such news should be reported. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster had done its duty by reporting the incident and 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 MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing Disturbing Visuals EMMC report stated that the channel had aired news from Ludhiana where a man protested against a team of the Municipal Corporation that had gone to remove illegal encroachments from the government houses. In order to build pressure, he climbed on the top of a transformer. It was told that the people asked him to come down but he started threatening the municipal corporation team by holding a stick in his hand. Meanwhile, the legs of the boy came in contact with the high voltage wires. As a result, he suffered a powerful electric shock and his legs got entangled in the wires. After this, sparks flew from the wires and he fell down. The channel had shown the video in connection with the news without getting it blurred in which the man suffers powerful electric shocks and he becomes stiff and then falls down Reply from Broadcaster Broadcaster stated that they had no intention whatsoever to sensationalize the news item showing a person falling from an electricity poll pursuant to electric shock. The news was more about capturing the protest that were going on in Ludhiana, Punjab. The clip that showed the aforesaid unfortunate incident was merely of few seconds. Nevertheless, they have sensitized and accordingly advised their editorial team to be more careful in future while airing footage of such incidents.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC report the response from the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast NBSA noted that even if the news was more about capturing the protest that were going on in Ludhiana, Punjab and the clip that showed the aforesaid unfortunate incident was merely of few seconds, the visuals were disturbing, the broadcaster should have blurred the visual of the man who suffered powerful electric shocks, became stiff and then fell down. NBSA decided to close the complaint with a warning to the broadcaster to be careful while airing such visuals and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Disturbing video of a woman being attacked, slapped and kicked by a group of men EMMC report stated that the channel reported about moral policing incident in Krishnai, Goalpara District of Assam which was all caught on mobile phone camera. The disturbing video carried by the channel shows how vigilantes intercepted a young woman and a man, both belonging from different faith and community. In the clip, the woman was shown getting beaten up by local people mercilessly just because she was seen with a male companion. The channel had telecast the disturbing video of a woman being attacked, slapped and kicked by a group of men unmoved by her cries and screams. Even though her face is blurred by the channel, the video was repeatedly and extensively carried. Reply News 18 Assam North East: Broadcaster stated that the said news along with the video was broadcast with the sole objective of informing the public at large about the mistreatment meted out to a young woman by some miscreants in Goalpara, Assam. There was no intention whatsoever to sensationalize or glamorize the horrific incident. Their sustained efforts in airing this incident resulted in the arrest of twelve accused persons. Repeated airing of this news item has helped the law enforcement authorities to identify and arrest the miscreants.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that the broadcast was in public interest and it was the duty of the media to highlight, report and expose such brutality being meted out. Reporting such incidents would facilitate 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 broadcaster has done its duty by reporting the incident and 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 broadcaster accordingly.

Showing disturbing visuals of a deceased man EMMC report stated that the channel reported about the death of a man during the protest against Sterlite copper Plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. While carrying the news, channels had shown visual of the man who died after the police fired weapons against the protesters. In the disturbing visual, a man was seen lying on the ground smeared in blood. The images were not properly edited or blurred which offends good taste and unsuitable for public viewership. Reply from Sun News: Broadcaster stated that as far as the Thoothukkudi protest news is concerned, it was first aired on 22nd May 2018 at 12.31 pm., and the same news was repeated on the same day at 3.00 pm., 4.30 pm., 6.00 pm., 7.00 pm., and 9.00 pm. Since the first telecast news on 22nd May 2018 at 12.31 pm., was Live Feed, they were unable to blur the visual of the man with blood who was shot in the protest. However, subsequently when the same news was telecast on the same day at 3.00 pm., 4.30 pm., 6.00 pm., 7.00 pm., and 9.00 pm., they had telecast the news with blurred visual.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that the broadcasters should avoid airing gory visuals while reporting such incidents. NBSA noted that while it is the duty of the news channel to report news, which may be in public interest and the persons being reported upon may get justice from such media reports, it is equally important to present the news in a manner that the dead must not be subjected to unnecessary media glare. In this case the broadcaster has admitted that since the first telecast news on 22.5.2018 at 12.31 pm., was Live Feed, they were unable to blur the visual of the man with blood who was shot in the protest. In the subsequent broadcasts the broadcaster had telecast the news with blurred visual, which is also confirmed in the EMMC report. In view of the corrective action taken by the broadcaster, NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing disturbing visuals containing gory images of victims EMMC report stated that the channel had telecast a news report about fake news or rumors which resulted in the death of two innocent men in Karbianglong, Assam. In the clip which shows the lynching of the two Guwahati residents, disturbing visuals and gory images of the victims continuously being attacked with sticks and lathis were shown. The victims can also be seen begging and naming their parents to convince the murderous mob. While reporting the news, the channel had showed hostile mob showing no mercy to the victims and the visuals have not been blurred properly. The disturbing visuals of violence and blood-soaked bodies of the victims are clearly visible, which is bad taste and not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. Reply from Republic TV: Broadcaster stated that the clip shows the brutal mob lynching of two youths from Assam – Nilotpal Das and Abhijeet Nath – on June 8 in Karbi Anglong, Assam. The killing is said to have been sparked by fake news circulated on WhatsApp about a group of child lifters entering Assam from Bihar. They had shown the video of the mob violence to highlight and bring to the fore the calamity which is fake news. In their efforts to fight the menace of fake news showing such visuals becomes necessary to apprise the audience of the gravity of the situation. Faces of the victims were blurred but the mob actions were not blurred to show the grave crime. One video was highlighted to show a policeman standing on the spot shooting a video. Republic TV questioned the policeman on the spot and his negligence of duty.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that the broadcast was in public interest as it highlighted, reported and exposed brutality being meted out. Reporting such incidents would facilitate the law and order machinery of the State to take strict action against the perpetrators of such gruesome acts, which happened in this case. NBSA noted that while the broadcaster has justified in their reply that to fight the menace of fake news showing such visuals becomes necessary to apprise the audience of the gravity of the situation. NBSA was however of the view that showing of un-blurred visuals was unwarranted and the broadcaster should have exercised caution while airing such visuals. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter with a warning to the broadcaster to be more careful while reporting such matters and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Beating of a daughter by father in Pinjore, Panchkula EMMC report stated that the channel had shown news in connection with a father beating up his daughter at Pinjore, Panchkula. It was stated that the father badly thrashed his 12 year old daughter whose video had become viral on social media. The channel had shown the video in which the father is seen sitting on his daughter and then mercilessly beating her up. The channel should avoid broadcasting such a sensitive video without getting it blurred. Reply from News 24: Broadcaster stated that in Chandigarh, a father hit his daughter badly. In this news report, they had not revealed the face of the child including her father. The alleged video was made by the wife of the accused. They got the said video from the police. Further, they had not sensationalized the news by repeating the said video.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the Report, the response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that said video was obtained from the police. 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 therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing beating a person suspecting to be child lifter in Malda, WB EMMC report stated that the channel had shown news in connection with thrashing of a man in Malda, West Bengal with sticks. It was informed that the man was tied to a pillar on the allegation of stealing a child and was severely beaten resulting in his death. These visuals would disturb the minds of the viewers. Though the video was blurred but the incident is absolutely visible. It was appropriate to provide information about the news by showing the video in a blurred manner. The channel should avoid broadcasting such a sensitive video without getting it blurred. Reply from News 24: Broadcaster stated that in West Bengal, a man was lynched for a child theft In many parts of the country, mobs are taking law in hand and consequently many people are losing lives due to mob lynching. As a responsible channel, they have shown this news in this context. The news does not owe its credibility to just a viral video; this issue is a subject of sensitive debate across the country as to why mobocracy is becoming the order of the day. While showing this particular news they had indeed blurred the video.

17.1.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the alleged broadcast. NBSA noted that the broadcast was in public interest and it was the duty of the media to highlight, report and expose such brutality being meted out. Reporting such incidents would facilitate the law and order machinery of the State to take strict action against the perpetrators of such gruesome acts, which happened in this case. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster had served public interest by reporting the incident and 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 with these observations and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.