9.1.2021 The complainant alleged that Zee News in its show ‘Taal Thok Ke' while reporting regarding the arrest of Munawar Faruqui on 4.1.2021 violated several sections of NBSA’s Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage, particularly related to Accuracy, Neutrality, Law and Order, Decency and Religious Harmony. The complainant highlighted several statements made by the anchor and the panelist in the impugned show. The broadcaster in its reply submitted that in the impugned news programme it had fairly reported about registration of an FIR against a comedian, Mr. Munwar Farooqui during a live show in Indore for causing insult to the Hindu Deities and in view of opposition from various section of the society against the registration of the said FIR, it had also conducted a fair and objective debate/panel discussion on the said issue. The aforesaid reportage was based on the version of the Indore Police and the complainant, who had lodged a complaint against the Munawar Farooqui. The broadcaster stated that it had conducted a fair, objective and neutral debate in the impugned show with panelists,–who were given a fair chance of presenting views of both sides, and therefore, the allegations levelled against it were completely false. Further, the broadcaster submitted that in order to fairly and objectively present the entire facts, it also aired the version of the complainant, on whose complaint the aforesaid FIR against Mr. Munawar Farooqui was registered. Thus, the allegations to the effect that by way of the aforesaid debate, the broadcaster had prejudged or pre-decided the issue or had caused religious disharmony were completely false, baseless and hence denied. The broadcaster stated that the impugned programme was a live debate and not a pre-scripted programme. Further, it stated that during the aforesaid programme, disclaimers were repeatedly aired on the screen in the form of a ticker clearly stating that “the views expressed by the panelists on the show are their personal views and the broadcaster had nothing to do with the views/comments made by the panelist and the panelist would be personally liable for the comments made by them during the show.” The Disclaimer further stated that the “broadcaster did not intend to hurt the sentiments of anyone”. The broadcaster submitted that the entire objective of the show was to give a message to its viewers that insulting the religious sentiment of any group/community/religion is a crime.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the matter of Nilesh Navalakha & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors. (2021) SCC Online BOM 56 had laid down guidelines pertaining to the role of anchor in a news programme in particular their duty to prevent the programme from drifting to beyond permissible limits. Since the present complaint raised similar grievances against the anchor, NBSA decided that the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Court should be circulated to the broadcaster to ensure compliance. NBSA further observed that the editorial team and the anchor must be careful in inviting panelists who habitually make inflammatory remarks during news programme and should keep in mind the guidelines of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. NBSA decided to close the complaint with the aforesaid observations and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

11.12.2020 The complaint was regarding the coverage of the farmer's protest on 11.12.2020. It is alleged that the broadcaster had claimed that farmers protests had been hijacked by left-wing extremists. The complainant questioned what proof the channel had for making such a claim when the protest was peaceful and talks were going on between the government and the farmers .. The complainant stated that the impugned news was a clear violation of impartial reporting and violation of a fundamental right to protest.. Further, he also highlighted the tagline used by the broadcaster which stated #Breaking Left-wing extremists have hijacked the farmers’ protests: Intelligence sources. The broadcaster in its reply dated 22.12.2020, submitted that intelligence sources had revealed that left-wing sources had hijacked farmers’ protest after posters demanding the release of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Elgar Parishad accused appeared during protests at the Tikri border calling for the immediate release of social activists¸ writers, intellectuals and rationalists on Human Rights Day were displayed during a demonstration by Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) at the Tikri border.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster, further reply from the complainant. NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

21.10.2020 The complaint was in respect of a news programme called "Vote Prapanch" with the title "???????? ?? '???' ?????? ?????? ?? ????" The complainant stated that during the broadcast of the impugned programme, "??? 2018 ??????????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ?????" and "????? ?? ???????? ???? AMU ?? ???????? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ??????" were shown. The complainant stated that contrary to what was aired by the broadcaster, the picture of Jinnah had been hanging in AMUSU hall 1938 and it was not hung by Mashkur Usmani which was also confirmed by the VC of AMU while talking to ANI on 8.5.2018. Therefore the complainant stated by airing the incorrect facts in the impugned programme, the broadcaster had violated “Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage” Number 1.2 ,1.6 , 2.1 and 2.2 . Further, the complainant stated in the impugned programme, the anchor/news reader also used the terms"?????? ??????" & "??? ?? ??????? ???? ????? ?? ??????", thereby violating the “Guidelines on Broadcast of Potentially Defamatory Content” Number 05, 08 and 09 The broadcaster in its reply dated 8.11.2021, denied the allegations. The broadcaster stated that in the impugned news programme, it had informed its viewers that Mr. Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani was the candidate of Indian National Congress from Jale constituency for Bihar Assembly Election 2020. Further, in the impugned programme, views expressed by Mr. Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani in 2018 on the removal of Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s portrait were also aired along with views expressed by various political leaders about Mr. Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani.. It had also aired a byte of Mr. Mashkoor Ahmad Usmani on the same day i.e 16.10.2021 at 17.00 PM.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage/CD of the broadcast. In view of the fact that the broadcaster had aired the version of Mr. Usmani, NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

19.10.2020 The complaint was against a news programme "Dangal" titled "????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????" aired by Aaj Tak Channel. The complainant stated that the broadcaster had many times during the impugned programme aired broadcast plates stating "????? ??????? ?? AMU ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ??" and "2018 ??? AMU ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ??? ?????". The complainant stated that contrary to what was aired by the broadcaster, the picture of Jinnah had been hanging in AMUSU hall 1938, and it was not hung by Mashkur Usmani which was also confirmed by the VC of AMU while talking to ANI on 8.5.2018. Therefore, the complainant stated that by airing the above incorrect facts, the broadcaster had violated “Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage” Number 1.2, and 1.6 relating to accuracy . Further, it was alleged that during the programme, BJP Spokesperson repeatedly used the term "?????????" & "????????" for Mashkoor while nothing was done by the Anchor or by the Channelto deny the statement. Therefore, by failing to disclaim the above statement, the complainant stated that the broadcaster had violated ”Guidelines No 7 & 10 of the Guidelines on Broadcast of Potentially Defamatory Content” The broadcaster vide its reply dated 19.11.2021 denied the allegations levelled in the complaint and denied violating the Guidelines prescribed in "Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage" and "Guidelines on Broadcast of Potentially Defamatory Content". The broadcaster stated that the topic of the impugned debate show was BJP’s allegations on Mashkur Usmani, former President of AMU Students Union and Congress candidate from Jale Bihar. It stated that a Jinnah Controversy had erupted in 2018, according to which the University administration had removed the portrait of Md Ali Jinnah and as per the news reports at that time, Mashkur Usmani had written protesting letters to reinstate the portrait. The broadcaster further stated that the allegation was repeated on record by many politicians from different political parties during Bihar Elections. The impugned programme was limited to a discussion amongst the guests of the show on the aforesaid. The broadcaster submitted that the statements made by experts/politicians in such shows are their personal opinions made by them in their personal capacity, and the broadcaster respected individual opinions on its show and consequently could not curtail the freedom of expression exercised by its guests in the news programmes.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage/CD of the broadcast. NBSA noted that the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in the matter of Nilesh Navalakha & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors. (2021) SCC Online BOM 56 had laid down guidelines pertaining to the role of anchor in a news programme in particular their duty to prevent the programme from drifting beyond permissible limits. Since the present complaint raised similar grievances against the anchor, NBSA decided that the guidelines laid down by the Hon’ble Court should be circulated to the broadcaster to ensure compliance. NBSA further observed that the editorial team and the anchor must be careful in inviting panelists who habitually makes inflammatory remarks during news programme and should keep in mind the guidelines of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. NBSA decided to close the complaint with the aforesaid observations and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

26.10.2020 The complainant stated that channels like Aaj Tak ABP (Bangla), ABP (Hindi) and others aired inappropriate cartoons of our Honourable Prime Minister on their channels during the News Hour break, Ad break or near that time. She stated as a citizen she would like to raise concern on the said issues and wanted the Authority to take action on the channels by removing such cartoons called Soo Sorry or Case Deban Na Please, of the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi as it damaged the image of the country and its supreme person. Also in light of the fact that States had put citizens behind bars or registered FIR against them for making cartoons or giving comments on Chief Ministers The broadcaster in its reply dated 2.12.2021, refuted the allegations of demeaning the Authority of or disrespecting the Hon'ble Prime Minister of thecountry through its show. The broadcaster submitted that the said show was famous for Politoons that were based on fictitious and sardonic scripts made purely for entertainment purposes and the complainant would appreciate the artistic and creative freedom involved in writing these politoons and understand that censorship cannot be practised in writing such fictional scripts.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint and the response from the broadcaster. NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

28.9.2020 The complaint relates to a news report aired by ABP Majha on 28.9.2020, about an IPS Officer from Madhya Pradesh, who physically assaulted his wife at a private residence. The complainant alleged that in the impugned news report, the video of the assault was broadcast, which potentially violated Section 1, Sub-section 4 of NBA's Code of Ethics. The complainant asked two specific questions to the broadcaster, namely: - 1. Where did the channel acquire the video footage of the physical assault? and 2. Had the channel received the consent of the survivor of the assault before broadcasting the video? The broadcaster, in its response dated 6.10.2020, stated that the impugned news report was aired on 28.9.2020, for a total duration of 1.03 minutes. The broadcaster submitted that the video clip in question was newsworthy and highlighted an important incident of domestic violence inflicted upon a woman by her husband an IPS officer. It reiterated that the said incident was important news that day and was aired to bring out and show its esteem viewers the atrocities committed by an IPS level officer against his wife. The broadcaster stated that the impugned video clip was made available and widely circulated in the social media by the aggrieved woman's family member and that the broadcaster had received the impugned video clip which had already gone viral from a news agency. The broadcaster submitted that it considered the broadcast of the impugned viral video important to highlight the violent and atrocious behaviour of the perpetrator and to spread and create awareness amongst its viewers. The broadcaster informed the complainant that the impact of such wide circulation of the video was such that the IPS officer was suspended. It further stated that at times it becomes important to flash some light on such crime perpetrators who try to misuse and abuse their power against women or children, and then the law should take its own course by way of appropriate legal actions and proceedings against such wrongdoers Further, the face of the aggrieved woman was not visible during the entire video clip and that the broadcaster had taken adequate care to conceal the identity of the victim. Based on editorial discretion, it had only aired few portions of the entire video clip, and the objectionable portions which could have resulted in the violation of NBSA Regulations were omitted from the same. Therefore, the broadcaster submitted that the broadcast of the impugned viral video duly met the requirements of the NBSA Code. The incidence of domestic violence was reported accurately, responsibly and within the ambit of ethical boundaries. Further, it stated that the impugned news was telecasted by several other news channels, including various other Marathi news channels.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster, viewed the footage/CD of the broadcast and further submissions by both the complainant and the broadcaster. NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

6.11.2020 The complainant alleged that on 28.10.2020, the Editor in Chief of India TVshared false news stating that Parliamentarians in Pakistan were chanting "Modi-Modi" when in reality, the Parliamentarians were chanting "voting-voting". The complainant highlighted the tickers that were aired during the impugned news report, which read as:- Pakistan Sansad mein gajab, Modi Modi ki gunj; Pakistan Sansad mein Modi ke naam ka kwaf chal raha hai; Modi ke naam par sansad mein Imran ko kisne chidaya. The complainant stated that by airing the impugned news report, the broadcaster had violated the principles relating to accuracy and neutrality of the Code of Ethics, as it failed to provide inputs from the Parliament in Pakistan or from the Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the claim made by the anchor. The impugned news also falsely reported about the parliamentary proceedings of a border nation, Pakistan, with which India has strained relationship and therefore was detrimental towards peacekeeping and acted against the safety and interests of the people of India, thereby violating the principle relating to endangering national security under the Code of Ethics. Furthermore, it also violated Section 1, sub-section 10 of the Code of Ethics which required channels to ensure that significant mistakes made in the course of broadcasting are acknowledged and corrected on air immediately. The broadcaster, in its response dated 6.11.2020, denied all the allegations levelled against it in the complaint. The broadcaster stated that it appears that the complainant might not have viewed the entire programme before writing the complaint. The broadcaster denied violating NBA's Code of Ethics as alleged and statedthat the impugned news report referred to the repeated mentions of the name of India's Prime Minister during a session of the Parliament of Pakistan, which as per the broadcaster in itself, was extraordinary. It stated that since India shared a strained relationship with Pakistan, such occurrences in the Pakistan’s Parliament were significant news. The broadcaster stated that in the impugned news report, the true facts and background of the news story were explained in detail, and the video footage of the proceedings in the Parliament of Pakistan on which the impugned news report was based was also shown. The impugned news report fully explained the circumstances in which the entire episode took place, i.e. when the Parliament of Pakistan was considering the situation in France and the recent statements made by the French Authorities regarding Islam. In the programme, the broadcaster stated that it had also explained the context of the debate in the Parliament was that while members of the opposition were accusing the Government of Pakistan of being afraid of the Indian Prime Minister and calling the Government "Modi ka yaar" (friend of Modi), the Foreign Minister of Pakistan accused members of the opposition of "speaking India's language" and as being the ones who are actually promoting India's agenda in Pakistan. The broadcaster submitted that contrary to the allegations made in the complaint, during the impugned news report, the anchor did not even once state that slogans of "Modi-Modi" were raised in the Parliament of Pakistan. Rather, he explicitly clarified that the slogan "Modi ka jo yaar hain, gadaar hain gadaar hain" was raised in the Parliament. Further, it submitted that the anchor also reported that the name of the Indian Prime Minister was featured on multiple occasions and the opposition parties raised a slogan containing the Indian Prime Minister's name to goad the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. The broadcaster stated that this fact was also made evident by the speech bubbles that accompanied the video footage, which clearly showed that members of the Parliament in Pakistan were chanting, "Modi ka jo yaar hain, gadaar hain gadaar hain" and not "Modi-Modi" as alleged. In respect of the three lines mentioned by the complainant as being run on the ticker, i.e. Pakistan Sansad mein gajab, Modi Modi kigunj", "Pakistan Sansad mein Modi ke naam ka kwaf chal raha hai." and "Modi ke naam par sansad mein Imran kokisne chidaya", the broadcaster stated that the same could not be regarded as objectionable as they were also based on the aforementioned video footage which was aired during the impugned news report. The words "Modi Modi ki gunj" was only used to refer to the fact that the Prime Minister's name was taken and raised multiple times in the Parliament of Pakistan. Therefore, the broadcaster submitted that in view of the foregoing, since the impugned news report merely placed before its viewers the true account of the happenings in the Parliament of Pakistan, including video footage thereof and did not report any false news, no question of violation of any of the provisions of the Code of Ethics arose.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster aviewed the footage/CD of the broadcast and the additional submissions . NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint filed by Lok Janshakti Party against the news programmes aired by Zee Bihar/Jharkhand on 23.10.2020. In the letter dated 24.10.2020 addressed to the Election Commissioner, the complainant alleged that the broadcaster was pressurizing them to give money. The broadcaster on 23.10.2020 aired false news regarding the Lok Shakti Party and its President for six hours without giving them an opportunity to respond. The complainant stated broadcasters like Zee Bihar/Jharkhand aired news only for money and therefore requested for an inquiry to be conducted against the broadcaster. Further, in the letter dated 28.10.2020 addressed to the Deputy Chief Election Commissioner, the complainant requested that the broadcaster should be restrained from making attempts to malign the Lok Janshakti Party and its President.,. The complainant reiterated that the coverage in the impugned programme was completely baseless, defamatory, one-sided, unfair and a violation of privacy. The broadcaster, in its response dated 25.11.2020, stated that the complainant had raised various false, frivolous and unsubstantiated allegations against its channel Zee Bihar Jharkhand for conducting a fair, impartial and objective reporting related to the complaint and its President on 23.10.2020. The broadcaster submitted that it denied each and every allegation, averments and insinuation levelled in the complaints. It submitted that the complaint was politically motivated and was a blatant attempt to interfere with the freedom of the press. The broadcaster stated that the complainant had falsely alleged that its channel was pressurizing the complainant for money, and when they did not accede to such pressure, it aired unverified stories against the complainant and its President. The broadcaster submitted that the complainant was one of the political parties which contested the Bihar Assembly Elections, 2020, and the present complaint was nothing but an attempt on the part of the complainant to threaten and stop the media from reporting the true facts and events related to the complainant or its President. It reiterated that the complaint was filed with malafide intention in view of the fact that on 22.10.2020, 23.10.2020, and 24.10.2020, its channel conducted an objective and fair reporting on the political stand taken by the President of the complainant and further showed the allegations levelled against the President of the complainant by the members of other political parties. Further, in the news coverage, the views of the voters from the Lok Sabha Constituency of Sh. Chirag Paswan were also reported. The broadcaster asserted that the impugned programme was based on verified facts and that no part of the broadcast was false or aired with the intention of influencing the minds of the voters. The complainant and the Janta Dal-United were part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and Sh. Chirag Paswan, the President of the Complainant, won the said elections from Jamui Constituency. However, during the recent Bihar Assembly Election campaign, Sh. Chirag Paswan attacked and criticized the JDU President and the Chief Minister of Bihar. Thus, the aforesaid stand of the President of the complainant, wherein on the one hand, he claims to be a ‘Hanuman’ of the Prime Minister and on the other hand made relentless attack on the Chief Minister of Bihar, which created confusion in the minds of voters during Bihar Elections. Due to the different stand taken by the Mr. Chirag Paswan, JDU and BJP spokesperson, had clarified the position by declaring that Mr. Chirag Paswan was not a part of NDA in Bihar elections, and the aforesaid parties have even termed the complainant as ‘Vote Katwa Party’. In view of the aforesaid background, the broadcaster stated that it conducted a fair reporting and analysis of the vision of Mr. Chirag Paswan and, as such, raised the question as to whether the people will accept the kind of politics being done by Sh. Chirag Paswan and his party. During the broadcast, it spoke to the leaders of JDU and BJP and also to the voters from the Jamui. the constituency of Mr Paswan. Therefore, the impugned news reports debates regarding the complainant were properly verified, objective, fair and impartial and were never intended to personally target or malign the image of the complainant or its President. The broadcaster denied the allegation that the impugned news programme was aired without seeking comments/version of the complainant. It submitted that prior to and during the aforesaid broadcasts on its channel Zee Bihar Jharkhand, the broadcaster’s team tried to take comments from the complainant. However, the complainant neither gave any comments nor accepted the invitation to participate in the debate programme. Further, in another debate programme aired on Zee Hindustan on a similar issue, the National spokesperson of the Complainant, was invited. Therefore, the broadcaster reiterated that the aforesaid allegation was absolutely false and hence denied. Furthermore, pursuant to the broadcast of the impugned news programme, the broadcaster filed a written complaint to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Director-General of Police, Bihar. The broadcaster reiterated that the present complaints were nothing but an attempt to muzzle the voice of the media from reporting the fair and objective information related to the complainant and its President, Mr. Chirag Paswan. The broadcaster denied that the aforesaid reporting was done with an intent to defame or maligning the image of Lok Janshakti Party or its President. It had followed the Guideline for Election Broadcast while airing the impugned news.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage/CD of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the Election Commission and the broadcaster accordingly.

Ms. Dipika R. Kaura, Editor member representing the broadcaster in NBSA (News18 Tamil Nadu), being an interested party, recused herself from the proceedings. The complaint is against the news programme “Kadhai illa varalaru.” Not a story but history” aired by News 18 Tamil on 20.12.2020 at 21:30 PM. The complainant stated that as a Tamil speaking Indian, he was unable to understand how the broadcaster, which is promoted by Reliance Industries, was able to promote a blood-soaked communist revolution in Tamil Nadu under the disguise of a private media channel. He alleged that the impugned programme was a blow against national integrity and therefore requested the department to assess extreme communist revolutionary contents aired in the impugned programme. The complainant stated that the impugned programme talked about films that openly praised blood revolutions and claimed that those which did not were cowards. He reiterated that lawlessness could not be promoted. and media channels to be directed to comply with the Indian Constitution. The broadcaster, in its response dated 28.1.2021 denied the allegations levelled in the complaint. It stated that through the complaint, the complainant had levelled several serious allegations against it, which were false, frivolous and baseless. The broadcaster submitted that it had ensured compliance with all rules and regulations applicable to news channels, and the impugned programme did not violate the Programme Code prescribed under The Cable Television Network Rules, 1994. The impugned programme was aired by it as a non-fiction history show which did not support any ideology or violence at any point in time. Further, it submitted that the impugned programme did not glorify violence, communalism or promote any revolution in Tamil Nadu. Rather, it merely featured a list of Tamil films made on labourers issues. Moreover, the broadcaster stated that no statements against national unity were made by it. The broadcaster submitted that as a responsible member of the media, it constantly endeavoured to discharge its duties with full responsibility within the legal framework. It was only interested in effectively disseminating correct news to its viewers.

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, the response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that Sun News had broadcast unwanted news about BJP Government, insinuating that they were indirectly supporting DMK. The complainant stated that on 8.12.2020 between 18:00 -18:30 PM it aired news completely pulling BJP government and supporting DMK and Congress. He further stated that while media is regarded to be an organization that doesn’t support any political party and only delivers the truth. The broadcaster, in its response dated 7.1.2021 denied and stated that such frivolous and baseless complaints were being filed and entertained by NBSA. The broadcaster performs its role of presenting information that is current and contextual, and any stray comment from a viewer, based only on the viewer’s perception and leanings, in the broadcaster’s opinion does not merit serious consideration by this august body, as to forward it for a response and ought to be dismissed at the threshold itself. The broadcaster requested NBSA to take this request under consideration, which, as per it, would be reflective of the views held by the general body of the NBA as well. The broadcaster submitted that it had reviewed the impugned news report and stated that the same did not contain any objectionable and/or provocative material to warrant any complaint of the nature alleged by the said complainant. The broadcaster stated that the complaint was vague, and the only grievance that can be assessed from the complaint is that the complainant supports the BJP government and is seeking to imply that the news alleges “pulling BJP government”. The broadcaster stated that the allegations made in the complaint are baseless as the impugned news programme categorically mentions at least at two (2) instances that the statistics presented in the news were based on government data. Further, in the 21.21-minute bulletin, only one news for a duration of 2 minutes regarding the Minimum Support Price (MSP) during the Congress and BJP rule based on Government data was aired. The impugned news was aired in the backdrop of the farmers’ agitation in Delhi. Therefore, the allegation that the impugned news was aired to pull down the BJP government is nothing more than the complainant’s perception without any basis and points to his aversion towards the broadcaster. The broadcaster reiterated that the impugned news report was prima facie general in nature and was routine news, the contents of which did not violate the NBSA guidelines and/or NBSA Code of Ethics. Furthermore, the content of the impugned news report was reported and published by other media

18.2.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, the response from the broadcaster and the viewed the footage/CD of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of any Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA, decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.