NBSA has received approximately 800 number of complaints from various viewers or persons concerned wherein they alleged that the reportage of the recent arrest of Asaram Bapu is one sided, derogatory and factually incorrect which is hurting their sentiments. The complainants alleged that the telecasts of such programmes by various news channels tantamount to character assassination of a religious leader. The complainants have highlighted that it is “trial by media’ and “pre-determining” the actions to be taken by the law enforcement agencies.

25.10.2013
Secretary General brought to the notice of the NBSA of the Order dated 21.10.2013, of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in WP (C) No.(s) 900 of 2013 Saint Shri Asaram Bapu, Petitioner versus UOI & Ors., Respondents, which stated that there was no need to entertain the writ petition for the present. In view of the various directions/decisions of the Supreme Court referred to in the said Order, the Hon’ble Court had opined that “we hope and trust that the media, both print and electronic would follow those Guidelines”. After considering the complaint, NBSA decided to issue a common response for all the complaints received. It was further decided that instead of individual communication of the decision, NBSA should host it on the NBA website along with a copy of the complaint, apart from releasing the decision to the media. It was also decided that a circular be issued to all members/editors of NBA drawing their attention to the principles laid down in various decisions of the Supreme Court regarding media reporting (which have been referred in the aforementioned Order of the Supreme Court) in regard to coverage of sub judice matters and also the NBSA Guidelines relating to “Broadcast of Potentially Defamatory Content”. The same is available on the website of NBA.

The complainant stated that there are two Abhinav Bharat’s – one in Mumbai and the other in Pune, not connected to each other in any manner with distinctly different points of view. Non-disclosure of facts by the anchor during the programme “We The People” while introducing the Spokesperson of the Pune based organization was irresponsible journalism and being the second such instance albeit of a different nature, an apology in this case would serve no purpose.

18.9.2013
NBSA considered the complaint and the response given by the broadcaster NBSA noted that the response given by the broadcaster was satisfactory and there was no need for NBSA to take any further action on the complaint. NBSA noted that the dispute regarding the names of the two organisations i.e. Abhinav Bharat Pune & Mumbai was subjudice and therefore the broadcaster be advised that they should be careful in future and ensure that accuracy is maintained. The complaint was closed with these observations.

The complainant stated that in the programme ‘Terror in Hyderabad’, Maj. Gen. (Retd.)Bakshi was making an important point in the debate that the bomb blasts were related to the hanging of Afzal Guru and Hyderabad was a sensitive area and therefore the government should have been prepared for this kind of an event. Instead of allowing him to have his say, first he was interrupted, then shouted out. Complainant was of the view that this was no way to conduct a debate and the anchor should encourage all views to be presented for the benefit of other panelists and the viewers. The complainant wanted the channel to apologize to Major Gen. (Retd.) Bakshi.

18.9.2013
NBA considered the complaint, the response given by the broadcaster and the rejoinder to the complainant and decided that no further action needs to be taken in the matter and the complaint be closed.

The complaint was regarding news hour programme on Operation Blue Star. According to the complainant, the programme appeared to be anti-people, against the spirit of patriotism, may incite Punjab youth against the State and its organizations. There was no account why the enormous weapons and ammunition were allowed to be piled up in the temple complex, The programme may fuel fresh attempts of militants to rise and may fan communal passions among youth of Punjab. Communal feelings could also percolate among troops.

18.9.2013
NBSA considered the complaint regarding telecast of the said programme and the response given by the broadcaster. NBSA found no irregularity and decided that no further action needs to be taken in the matter and the complaint be closed. The complainant and the broadcaster were informed of the decision.

The complaint was regarding news reports of murder of Mr. Zia- Ul-Haque, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Uttar Pradesh and trial by media regarding immediate punishment to be meted out to Raja Bhaiya. Complainant stated that the telecast on news channels was an example of trial by media and pre-determining the actions to be taken by law enforcement agencies. She drew the attention of the NBA Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards relating to impartiality and objectivity in reporting, accuracy, neutrality, full and fair presentation etc, which the member broadcasters are to adhere to and these guidelines were not followed.

18.9.2013
NBSA noted that the complainant had highlighted breaking news text on various channels while reporting the above matter, which according to the complainant was “trial by media and pre- determining the actions to be taken by the law enforcement agencies”. NBSA considered the complaint and the response given by broadcasters and decided that there was no impropriety and that no action needs be taken on the complaint and that the matter be closed. The decision was conveyed to the complainant and MoI&B. Being aggrieved by the decision dated 16.10.2013, Ms Nutan Thakur has filed a writ petition before the Allahabad High Court.

1. Aaj Tak – Telecast of hospital visuals in the programme “Red Terror Strikes” on 26.5.13

In the said  telecast the broadcaster had shown visuals of Mr. V.C. Shukla in a critical condition lying in a hospital in Gurgaon.

2.CNN IBN - Telecast of hospital visuals relating to building collapse in Thane, Mumbai on 6.4.13, in the news bulleting titled “Good Evening India” at 6.00 pm

In the said  telecast the Correspondent of CNN IBN had entered the hospital ward where the injured children were admitted and took bytes of relatives of patients inside the ward/hospital.

3. CNN IBN - Telecast of hospital visuals while telecasting the news of attack on 3 journalists in Barrackpore Bengal by Trinamool on 7.6.13 at 7 pm news bulletin.

In the said  telecast, the broadcaster had shown hospital visuals of three injured journalists lying in their hospital beds.

18.9.2013
NBSA took suo motu action against all the three broadcasters for breach of the “Specific Guidelines for Reporting the Injured and the Ill” and the principles of self regulation relating to “Impartiality and objectivity in reporting; “Ensuring neutrality & privacy’ as contained in the “Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards” and "Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage". NBSA considered the response received from the three broadcasters & also viewed the broadcasts and noted that all the three broadcasters had failed to adhere to the guidelines, while reporting the above incidents. NBSA decided to warn all the three broadcasters that any future transgressions would be viewed seriously and thereafter closed the complaints. The broadcasters were informed of the decision.

Complaint from viewers regarding use of the caption “Live” even in “recorded” programmes 1. Complaint dated 12.5.13, from Mr. Arun Gupta related to live chat shown on Aaj Tak and ABP News On12.5.2013 at 6:00 PM, two news channels Aaj Tak and ABP News were showing “live”chat. On both panels Mr. Sanjay Jha was present as “Live”. It was not possible for one person to be present at two places at the same time and therefore obviously one channel was showing recorded text. The complainant desired this issue be addressed so that the viewer knew which programme was “live” and which one was “recorded”. 2. Complaint dated 26.2.13, by Mr. Brij Raj Sahani regarding programme aired on 26.2.13 on TimesNow, NDTV & Headlines Today relating to Railway Budget debate between 9.15 pm and 9.30 pm How can BJP Spokesperson Mr. Piyush Goyal be “live” on three channels in a budget debate on 26.2.2013 between 9.15 - 9.30 pm on Times Now, NDTV and Headlines today. This was completely unethical and against the integrity of news broadcasting. These channels were misleading the people and creating a false perception. It was an extremely dangerous precedent as it hits the credibility of the news channel. 3. Programme aired on 11.4.13, on NDTV 24x7 & CNN IBN comprising of an interview of Mr. Jagdish Tytler between 8 pm to 9 pm Mr. Jagdish Tytler was on air at the same time on both the channels.

18.9.2013
NBSA considered the above complaints and noted that the same individuals were shown as appearing in different ‘live’ discussions at the same time. As it was not possible for the same individual to be present at more than one place at the same time, it was obvious that some channels were showing recorded programmes claiming them to be ‘live’. Since such reporting was deceptive and misinforming the viewers, NBSA decided to revisit and the advisory dated 16.9.2011 titled “Use of caption Live”.

The complaint was regarding misleading content which was recorded as LIVE. The complainant alleged that "Gujarat ka Sardar Kon" anchored by Rahul Kanwal, was scrolled as "Live from Ahmedabad," for some time and then it was tagged as "Recorded" in Hindi.

18.9.2013
NBSA noted the complaint and the response of the broadcaster wherein they had admitted that for a few split seconds a “live” tag went on air accidentally but the moment the mistake was noted the same was corrected and that the error was inadvertent. Since the complainant did not further take up the complaint to NBSA, the complaint was treated as redressed at the broadcaster’s level and closed the matter.

The complaints were filed by 7 devotees of Asaram Bapu regarding telecast of a programme of Asaram Bapu titled “Badnam Bapu” on India TV. The complainants alleged that the title of the programme “Badnam Bapu” for a highly Hon’ble Sant was objectionable title and it appeared to be in violation of Programme Code 6(1)(A) offending good taste or decency of Cable Television Networks Rules 1994; and the visuals highlight disgraceful headline captions as “Asaram Bapu Pathar Marte Hain”. The programme was in the context of highlighting wastage of water for celebration of Holi by Asaram Bapu and his devotees when certain parts of Maharashtra were reeling under severe drought.

18.9.2013
Complainants had informed NBSA that they were not satisfied with the response received from the broadcaster and hence the same should be considered by the NBSA. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster should have been more careful in the language used for the title/captions of the programme. NBSA was also of the view that broadcasters should have used dignified language in their broadcasts and not use potentially defamatory, derogatory or derisive language. NBSA decided to issue a warning to the channel that any future transgression would be dealt with severely and the channel was advised to remove the video from their website and other links and closed the matter.

Complaints were received from viewers for suo motu intervention by the NBSA as various member channels of NBA were showing footage of the reporters inside the Holy Kedarnath Shrine.

18.9.2013
NBSA considered the complaints and viewed the footage. NBSA noted that while the reporting was being done in public interest and in the most challenging circumstances, the conduct of the reporters/journalists was respectful. NBSA decided that the broadcasters be advised to follow Guideline 9.2 of the Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage dated 10.9.2009, which states that “caution should be exercised in reporting content which denigrates or was likely to offend the sensitivities of any racial or religious groups or that may create religious intolerance or disharmony”. The decision of the NBSA was conveyed to the complainants and the broadcasters and the complaints were closed.