The complaint was regarding alleged violation of Programme Code by the channel regarding programme “Full Bobal R U Ready”. By showing stunts “like a participant swallowing 15 long sharp knives altogether; a participant places a blade and a sharp needle in an upright position and attempted to pick them up with his eye lids, he bends to pick up a sharp needle at pinpoint from his right eye by closing the eye lids and succeeds in doing so, a minor boy dressed and painted like a tiger performing dance, using fire sticks as a prop; the dance shows the boy spinning the fire stick like a sword; later he could be seen jumping through a ring of fire”, offended good taste and cause strong repulsion in the minds of viewers; and telecasting such dangerous stunts on a national television at prime time would lead to the risk of imitation by children who might be watching TV at that time.

19.2.2014
NBSA considered the response and viewed the CD and decided to close the matter by informing the broadcaster that the NBSA was not happy with the justification given by the broadcaster for airing such a programme and to also inform the broadcaster that as a news channel it should be their endeavour to ensure that adequate precaution was taken when such programmes were aired by informing the viewers the risk of imitating the stunts being shown on the programmes. Such information should be conveyed to the viewers by a voice over, continuous disclaimer/ticker, which should run through the programme. The decision of the NBSA conveyed to the MoI&B.

The complaint was regarding various programmes telecast on Times Now channel demanding death sentence of four criminals who had been found guilty in the Nirbhaya rape matter even before the judge had decided the quantum of punishment.

19.2.2014
NBSA considered the response and also viewed the CD. NBSA noted that the broadcaster had clearly violated the NBA Guidelines for Reporting Court Proceedings and should have exercised restraint from commenting on a sub judice matter. NBSA decided that the broadcaster be advised to ensure that they are more circumspect in future while reporting sub judice matters. The complaint was closed.

In a Writ Petition (C) 3837/2012 Gaurav Kumar Bansal v/s UOI, had filed a petition stating that various electronic media channels are telecasting and thereby promoting programmes on/of self-proclaimed God Men who claim to have magical powers and on that basis they are duping the general public. The petitioner has drawn the attention to various provisions of Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 as well as provisions of The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. NBA Counsel during the hearing submitted that NBA has constituted News Broadcasting Standards Authority which is headed by a former Chief Justice of India and it looks into such grievances. The Court decided that the petition filed by the petitioner can be taken as a representation and shall be dealt with by the aforesaid Authority in accordance with the Regulations framed by the NBA. The petitioner can supplement this petition by giving specific examples to the said Authority. With these observations, the writ petition was disposed of.

13.11.2013
NBSA noted that at the meeting held on 19.2.2013 NBSA had considered the email dated 25.1.2013 received from Mr. Gaurav Kumar Bansal wherein he had sought further time to collect data and specifics in relation to the subject matter of his grievance, which was referred to the NBSA vide Order dated 22.8.12, by the Hon’ble Delhi High Court. NBSA after deliberation decided that it cannot keep the matter pending before itself inordinately, when the material produced so far was inadequate for it to proceed further. However, considering his request, NBSA had then decided to grant time until March 30, 2013, to place before the NBSA whatever specific material/data he may wish to bring to its attention as a final opportunity, failing compliance of the direction, the NBSA would be constrained to close this matter and to intimate the Hon’ble Delhi High Court accordingly. The complainant has not produced further material sought by NBSA. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the Hon’ble Delhi High Court accordingly.

The complaint was regarding video relating to sexual acts involving a MLA of Kerala Assembly telecasted on channel. The complainant alleged that the news channel reported, as a part of its breaking news, about a complaint by a lady against a MLA of the present Kerala Assembly. The lady stated that she was sexually exploited by the MLA and his son and a complaint was made to the police. The complainant stated that it was not about the news being broadcast but the channel had shown the visuals of the sexual act scene by the MLA and the lady for nearly ten minutes, almost like a blue film scene, which was not appropriate to be a shown on a news channel especially when it can be watched by youngsters and boys or girls.

13.11.2013
NBSA noted that since the matter was sub judice, it was unable to entertain the complaint at this stage. The complaint was closed.

Telecast of hospital visuals by member broadcasters:

(i) Terrorist incursion in Keran area of Kashmir programme on NDTV 24x7 on 8.10.13 and on CNNIBN on 7.10.2013

(ii) News first at 10 anchored by Sarah Jacob, NDTV 24x7 on 8.10.13

In both the above programmes, the broadcaster had shown hospital visuals of injured jawans. The channel by showing the footage of the injured jawans in hospital had not only committed breach of the “Specific  Guidelines but  fro reporting the injured & the Ill” but also the Principles of Self Regulation relating to

“ Impartiality & objectivity in reporting” ; Ensuring neutrality & Privacy”, as contained   in the “Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards dated 1.4.2008 and Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage dated 10.2.09”.

13.11.2013
NBSA viewed the CD containing the visuals of the injured jawans in Keran area of Kashmir in the above programmes telecast on CNNIBN & NDTV. Editors present at the NBSA meeting stated that the Army had invited journalists and it was with their explicit permission that anchor(s) had entered the army hospital. Several channels had carried the footage. NBSA noted that the reporting was certainly in public interest. NBSA however noted that the NDTV anchor could have reported from outside the ward while reporting from the Army hospital. NBSA also noted that the hospital visuals shown in the programme News First at 10 on NDTV 24x7 of new born premature infants not having the facility of incubators in King George Hospital, Vishakapatnam due to power shut down in view of the strike of electricity employees demanding Seemandhra was certainly in public interest. With these observations these matters were closed.

The complaint was regarding telecast of hospital visuals of injured in the Patna serial blasts being treated in Patna Medical College. NBSA took suo motu cognizance of the aforesaid breach.

13.11.2013
NBSA considered the response and viewed the CD containing the above visuals and noted that the reporter had violated the Principles of self regulation relating to “impartiality & objectivity in reporting’; Ensuring neutrality & privacy & “Specific Guidelines for reporting the Injured & the Ill”. NBSA also noted that the broadcaster should not have taken close up visuals of injured persons and should have avoided telecast of persons in distress and pain. NBSA decided to advise the broadcaster accordingly and close the matter.

Same individual being shown at the same time on separate programmes on different channels

(i) 9 pm news on 4.11.13 on CNN IBN anchored by Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai and NDTV 24x7 programmetitled “Buck Stops Here” anchored by Ms. Maya Mirchandani on 4.11.13.

In both the above programmes the common panelist was Mr.Yogendra Yadav. He was on air at the same time on both the channels.

(ii) 9 pm news on 4.11.13 on NDTV 24x7 programme titled Buck Stops Here anchored by Ms. Maya Mirchandani on 4.11.13 and Times Now (News Hour) anchored by Mr. Arnab Goswami.

In both the above programmes the common panelist was Mr. Naresh Gujral, Akali Dal MP and he was on air at the same time on both the channels.

(iii) 9 pm news on 27.9.13 on CNN IBN anchored by Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai and NDTV anchored by Ms. Maya Mirchandani on the terror attacks in Kashmir

In both the above programmes the common panelist was Mr. Shashi Tharoor, Minister for HRD and was on air at the same time on both the channels.

13.11.2013
NBSA viewed all the CD’s containing the above programmes and noted that mixing “live” and “pre-recorded” feed was likely to be deceptive to the viewers. NBSA was of the view that when “recorded” programmes are mixed or included in a “live” programme there should be an indication that it was “pre-recorded”. NBSA also noted that for the benefit of the broadcasters and to avoid confusion the Advisory dated 16.11.2013 on the use of caption “live” needs to be further clarified.. The complaint was closed.

The complaint was that an ASI of police had attempted to rape a minor girl in Nalgonda district of AP after luring her to his house on grounds of giving her a job and financial help. During telecast the channel revealed the identity of the girl. Revealing the identity of a minor victim of sexual harassment may jeopardize the victim’s social life and future.

13.11.2013
NBSA considered the complaint, the response given by the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA was of the view that though the news was of value to the viewers, the broadcaster should have been more careful and ought not to have revealed the identity / name of a minor victim of sexual harassment even if the consent had been given by the victim and her parents. NBSA decided to issue a warning to the channel to be more careful and close the matter. The broadcaster and the MIB were informed of the decision.

Complainant stated that TV channels were telecasting gruesome cookery demonstration that depicts raw bloody flesh of animals, birds and fish sometimes live creatures are torn apart and actually killed. Such scenes obviously prove to be repulsive to average viewers, more so if vegetarian. It can also hurt the sentiments of religious Hindus if it had beef and Muslim if it had pork. In view of the above, to seriously consider blocking such shows being telecast for audiences in India.

13.11.2013
NBSA decided that no action needs to be taken as the complainant had merely given her personal views and there was no specific complaint with regard to any broadcast(s) or violation of the guidelines of NBA/NBSA. MIB was informed of the decision and the matter closed.

The complaint was forwarded by MIB vide letter dated 29.10.2013, alleging that, NDTV Profit had announced the quarterly financial results of Bharat Electronics Ltd., which later turned out to be incorrect.

13.11.2013
NBSA decided that no action be taken on the complaint dated 1.4.2010 (received from MoI&B on 29.10.2013) as it was hopelessly belated and the matter be closed. The decision was conveyed to the complainant and the MIB.