Beating of a youth in Churu, Rajasthan EMMC report stated that the channel had aired news in context of severe beating of a youth in Churu of Rajasthan on 30.5.2018. During the programme, it was shown that some people tied the man to a tree alleging that he had stolen from the donation box of a temple and then humiliated and beat him up in a most brutal manner. The video of this event had also gone viral on social media. The channel has aired the video related to the incident in which the man is hit by a stick after he was tied to a tree. Though the video was blurred, still it could be clearly seen that a person sat on the victim and then thrashed him severely. It was appropriate to provide information about the news by showing the video in a blurred manner. Response from Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that in Churu, Rajasthan, a man was beaten by a mob badly for stealing. While telecasting this news, as a responsible channel, they blurred the video. The news was telecast when the incidents of mob-lynching were rampant in the country. Seeing the sensitivity and timing of the news, they wanted to draw the attention of the police and administration so that the guilty were brought to book and was punished in the harshest possible way.

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NBSA considered the report of the EMMC, response from the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA agreed that no useful purpose was served in showing such violent unblurred footage repeatedly; and that while showing the footage once or twice could be justified, the repeated use of the footage throughout the telecast was not warranted. NBSA decided that the broadcaster be warned to be more careful in future while reporting such matters. NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Beating of a minor in a mango orchard in Allahabad EMMC report stated that the channel had shown news of the owner of a mango orchard in Allahabad beating up a small boy for picking up mangoes from his orchard. It was informed that the owner of the orchard levelled an allegation of theft against the boy and beat him up so severely that he became unconscious. During the broadcast of the news, the channel had shown the video relating to the news continuously for two minutes and 15 seconds in which the man is thrashing the boy in a merciless manner. It was appropriate to provide news in connection with the video that had gone viral on social media just once and that too by blurring it. It was reprehensible to repeatedly show the visuals that can torment the minds of the viewers. Response from Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that this piece of news related to atrocities on a minor. A child was severely beaten by a muscleman for stealing mangoes. As a responsible channel, they were duty-bound and they ensured that the child's identity was not revealed at any cost. Through this video, they also wanted to draw the attention of the police and administration so that the guilty were brought to book and was punished in the harshest possible way. If news of such ilk is not shown by the TV channels then the local strongmen will use muscle power and influence and will go unscathed. As far as this particular news is concerned, the culprit was arrested after the news was telecast and was brought to the notice of the police.

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NBSA considered the report of the EMMC, response from the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA agreed with the complaint that no useful purpose was served in showing such violent unblurred footage repeatedly and that while showing the footage once or twice could be justified, the repeated use of the footage throughout the telecast was not warranted. NBSA decided that the broadcaster be warned to be more careful in future while reporting such matters. NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing extreme close up visuals of the deceased lying on hospital bed EMMC report stated that the channel had carried a report on the death of a party supporter named Shaheen Sheikh who was shot at with a firearm near polling booth in Naoda block, Murshidabad, West Bengal. While reporting this news, channel had shown extreme close up visuals of the deceased lying on hospital bed. The visual was disturbing and could have been either omitted or properly blurred for telecast. Response from ABP Ananda: Broadcaster stated that the only objection of the EMCC in this clip relates to the ‘extreme’ close up visual of the deceased lying on the hospital bed. According to the broadcaster the news report did not violate the Programme Codes 6(1)(a) and 6(1)(o) of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994. The broadcaster however stated that it will exercise greater caution while determining the appropriate degree or extent of close-up focus to be used in similar circumstances.

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NBSA considered the Report, the response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD of the broadcast. NBSA noted that covering news relating to persons in hospitals or deceased persons requires special sensitivity and care, particularly to ensure that the privacy and dignity of victims and patients is preserved. All decisions to broadcast audio and/video recordings made in such places require balancing the public interest in the story with any distress such filming/broadcast may cause to the patient or, in the case of deceased patients, to the family. Showing of un-blurred visuals were found to be unwarranted. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster had violated the NBSA Specific Guideline 3.6 which states that “the dead must be treated with respect. Close-ups of dead or mutilated bodies should not be shown”. NBSA decided that the broadcaster be warned to be more careful in future while reporting such matters. NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Beating of a Girl in Public EMMC report stated that in the programme “Sachhi Ghatna Mein” (In True Events), the channel had shown a news item under the caption ‘This is India, not Taliban’, which is in the context of a video that has gone viral from Naurangiya area of Bagha district. It was informed that the Panchayat of the village announced punishment for a girl, who had made viral indecent pictures of another girl, by tying her with a pillar and then thrashing her in public. The channel had shown the video of the entire incident made on a mobile phone in which the girl is tied to the pillar of a house and then the male members hit her in front of the crowd. Sometimes they hit her on the face and at times drag her by her hair. The channel had continuously shown the video for around seven minutes. Response from ABP News: Broadcaster stated that the clip in question focused on an atrocious act of violence committed on a woman. The intention of the story was to criticise such a reprehensible act and also to highlight the fact that such atrocities on women continue to occur despite the nation’s resolve to respect its women. Given the sensitive nature of the story, the face of the lady in question was blurred and her identity was not disclosed. In their view, such news report did not encourage atrocities on women, as has been sought to be implied by the EMMC, but in fact spread awareness about regressive attitudes that still prevail in our country, leading to abominable incidents such as the one forming part of the instant report. The broadcaster submitted that the clip did not denigrate women in any way and on the contrary the news story was broadcast with the intent of putting a stop to any manner of denigration of women.

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NBSA considered the Report, the response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD of the broadcast. NBSA was of the view that the news channel had broadcast the news report in public interest. 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 EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Minor girl being gang raped and killed in Raja Kendua village of Chatra district of Jharkhand EMMC report stated that the channel had shown news of Raja Kendua village in Chatra district of Jharkhand where a minor girl being gang-raped and killed had come to light. It was informed that some powerful hoodlums raped the girl. Following the complaint by the girl, the Panchayat of the village merely imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the culprits and allowed them to go. Later on, those hoodlums, accompanied by their accomplices, forcibly entered into the victim’s house, badly thrashed her and then burnt her alive. In the said episode, some women were also involved. The channel showed the video related with the news for more than two minutes in which the miscreants are shown dragging the minor girl by catching hold of her hair, thrashing and pressing her belly forcefully from his legs. Though the channel has blurred the video but despite it the actions in the video are clearly understandable. For giving information about the news, it is appropriate to show the video once. But the repeated showing of the video, which is full of bestiality against the victim, torments the minds. Response from ABP News: Broadcaster stated that the clip in question focuses on an atrocious act of violence committed on a woman. The intention of the news report was to criticise such a reprehensible act and also to highlight the fact that such atrocities on women continue to occur despite the nation’s resolve to respect its women. Given the sensitive nature of the story, the face of the girl in question was blurred and her identity was not disclosed. The clip did not denigrate women or children in any way; on the contrary it was aired with the intent of putting a stop to any manner of denigration of women or children. The news report did not offend good taste or decency in any way. However, in deference to the comments of the EMMC, the broadcaster stated that it would take care to shorten the duration of such clips and also not repeat the clips while reporting.

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NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA was of the view that the showing the visuals of a minor girl being gang-raped and killed by some powerful hoodlums repeatedly was not in good taste and visual depiction of such matter should have been avoided NBSA was also of the view that the broadcaster should have avoided airing gory visuals continuously in a loop, while reporting such incident. However in view of the assurance by the broadcaster, NBSA decided to close the complaint with a warning to the broadcaster to be careful while airing such visuals. EMMC and the broadcaster would be informed accordingly.

Beating of two persons suspecting them to be child lifters in Dwarka, Gujarat EMMC report stated that the channel had aired news with regard to a crowd beating two persons suspecting them to be child lifters in Dwarka, Gujarat. It was reported that a video became viral in Gujarat’s Jamnagar and Dwarka in which an appeal was made to the people to be vigilant against child lifters. Thereafter two people with a big bundle were seen going somewhere near Okhla railway station; and the crowd thought them to be child lifters and thrashed them in a most brutal manner. The channel showed the video related with the news in which some people appear kicking and beating the two persons with fists. For providing information about the incident, it was appropriate to show the video by blurring it, the channel should avoid showing such a sensitive video for a long time without blurring it. Response from the Broadcaster Broadcaster stated that in view of the increasing trend of circulation of fake news, information and messages on the social media and people taking law into their own hands, without verifying the facts or authenticity of information, they decided to air the concerned video to highlight the effects of such messages and its repercussions. Incidents like these were being reported from different parts of the country and as such it was our duty to inform the public of the same. However, due to an inadvertent error, they missed blurring the visuals.

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NBSA considered the EMMC Report, 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 however noted 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 these observations and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly

Beating of a boy in Bihta, Bihar: Viral video EMMC report stated that the channel has aired a video that has gone viral from Bihta, Bihar in which two youths, because of some grouse, are shown thrashing another boy with a belt and a cricket bat. During the incident, the victim cries and winces with pain but that does not have any impact on those boys. Such scenes are visually extremely upsetting. The scenes can torment viewers’ minds. The channels should avoid showing such a sensitive video or they should show it by adequately blurring it. Response from Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that in this telecast they have blurred the face of the boy who was being beaten by some other boys. The idea behind not blurring the other faces was to assist in identifying the culprits.

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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 the brutality being meted out to a young boy and identifying the perpetrators so that action could be taken against them. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter with these observations and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Beating a person mercilessly in Darbhanga, Bihar: Viral video EMMC report stated that the channel had aired a video that went viral from Darbhanga, Bihar, where some local people hung a person upside down from a crane and then beat him up mercilessly. It was reported that the victim had allegedly stolen a mobile, and by reason of the said allegation, the people handed out such a Talibani punishment to him. The channel had shown the news related to the video without blurring it. The visuals shown in the video can torment minds. The channel has shown such violent visuals repeatedly and for four minutes continuously; it should show such visuals by appropriately blurring them. Response from Broadcaster: The news related to the Darbhanga, Bihar incident was telecast to condemn the ghastly act and secondly to assist in identifying the culprits. Since the face of the victim was anyway not clear in the video, it was not considered necessary to blur it. The visuals were of an extremely short duration because of which they were aired more than once.

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NBSA considered the report, the response and also viewed the broadcast. It is the duty of a news channel to put forth such reports in public interest. 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 EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Crime News programmes aired by Mathrubhumi News on 1.5.2018 and 3.5.2018 EMMC report stated that the channel carried a programme titled “CRIME NEWS” which reported two separate incidents of a man falling from a lodge building in Kochi, Kerala and a mentally challenged woman being beaten by her neighbours. The first clip carried by the channel is CCTV footages from two different angles of the man plunging towards the ground with a thud as onlookers watch in shock. The second video shows a group of women beating a woman who is mentally challenged according to the channel. While reporting the above incidents, channel repeatedly showed the exact moment when the man’s body impacted the ground. The graphic visual was disturbing. Response from Broadcaster : Broadcaster stated that the visuals mentioned in the letter were carried in their Crime News bulletin aired on 01.05.2018 at 10.35 pm (22.35 hrs) regarding an incident which happened near the busy Padma junction of Ernakulam. The visual relate to the CCTV visual of an unidentified man falling off the second floor of a building in Ernakulam city falling on to the footpath where people were standing along the road The onlookers who witnessed the whole incident did not take any action to take the poor man to the hospital. He was taken to the hospital by a lady advocate practicing in the High Court of Kerala and some youngsters. The second visual referred to was shown wherein a mentally challenged woman was mercilessly beaten up and her feet burnt by a group of three women in public at Munanpam, Kochi on 30th January 2018. The news was shown to point out the indifference of the public to such incidents. The visual was captured either from CCTV visuals or from mobile visuals of onlookers and did not carry any horrifying visuals. These visuals were not carried with any ill will and was shown as a positive note to make aware the public to think and act rationally in such instances. Report of EMMC: EMMC report stated that the channel carried a programme titled ‘CRIME NEWS’ which reported about a mob attack against two young teenagers who apparently belonged to different castes. The incident took place in Roopangarh, Rajasthan and the reason behind the assault was because the two teenagers decided to get married against all odds. The channel adds that the teenagers were beaten separately by the people of their castes and the two separate videos of the incident went viral on social media. In one of the videos carried by the channel, the teenage boy was shown being brutally punched and similarly in another video, the girl was seen beaten up. The video clips carried by the channel were not suitable to be viewed by viewers. It is regretful that incidences against inter-caste union such as this are still prevalent in the country and the channel highlights this subject. Telecasting viral videos distributed and shared on social media appears to be a trend followed by news channels these days. The core issue falls short because it clearly seems to be an attempt to grab eyeballs. Response from Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the visuals were carried in the Crime News bulletin aired on 3.5.2018. The visuals related to the ruthless thrashings of a couple in love who belonged to different caste groups being beaten up separately by leaders of their own caste. The visuals were a rage in social media at that time and the Roopangarh police filed a case on the basis of these visuals being circulated in social media. However, both caste groups were called for a discussion and neither groups were ready to file a complaint. It was alleged that the visuals were recorded and publicized in social media as a warning to other youngsters to abstain from inter- caste marriages.

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17.1.2019 NBSA considered the complaints, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA noted that the broadcasts were certainly in public interest. Reporting such incidents would facilitate the law and order machinery of the State to take strict action against the perpetrators of such acts. 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 EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly. NBSA considered the complaints, response and also viewed the broadcasts. NBSA noted that the broadcast of such incidents against inter-caste unions was certainly in public interest and it was the duty of the media to highlight the brutality being meted out some individuals, who had taken law into their hands. The channel was only highlighting in fact that such incidents relating to inter-caste unions are still prevalent in the country. 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 EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing video of a mentally unhinged woman being thrashed by a doctor in Ferozpur, Punjab EMMC report stated that the channels had shown news in the context of a video that has gone viral from Ferozepur, Punjab. The video shows a mentally challenged woman being thrashed by a doctor. It was informed that the mentally challenged woman, used to go the doctor’s cabin every second day for her treatment. In his defense, the doctor said he beat up the woman because she was constantly troubling him. The channels had repeatedly shown the video in which the doctor is dragging the woman by catching hold of her hair and is also kicking her. The channels should avoid showing such a sensitive video for a long time without blurring it. Response from Broadcasters Broadcasters stated that the clip in question focuses on the atrocious act of violence committed on a woman by a doctor to whom she had gone for treatment. The intention of the story was to criticise such a reprehensible act and also to highlight the fact that such atrocities on women continue to occur despite the nation’s resolve to respect its women. This case was particularly alarming as the perpetrator was a doctor. Given the sensitive nature of the story, the identity of the lady was not disclosed. There has been no intention whatsoever to sensationalize or glamorize the horrific incident. Their sustained efforts in airing this incident, led to registration of a complaint against the accused person by the law enforcement authorities. They do not feel that the clip denigrates women in any way; on the contrary it was aired with the intent of putting a stop to any manner of denigration of women.

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NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcasters and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that the visuals objected to, were shown to emphasise the serious nature of the incident and shake the conscience of the public, both for its brutality and its social implications; there was a need to highlight the incident in public interest; that the footage of the incident cannot be seen in isolation and must be viewed along with the news report which was aimed at conveying a basic tenet of civilized society to its viewers - that a doctor cannot be allowed to take law into his hands and ill treat a mentally ill patient who came to him for treatment by dragging the woman, catching hold of her hair and also kicking her. NBSA was of the view that the broadcasters have done their duty by reporting the incident and found no violation of any Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast. Therefore, decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.