The petition stated that most news channels are not showing the weather reports of the North East and were covering only upto Guwahati.

11.11.2016
NBSA considered the petition and decided that the matter be referred to NBA for its consideration.

The complaint relates to the news channel disclosing complete details relating to the manufacture of ‘Pava Shell’ in the Ordinance Factory purportedly to be used instead of Pellet Guns. According to the complainant, such information should not have been revealed. The complainant also wondered how the news channel was allowed to enter the Ordinance Factory.

11.11.2016
NBSA, considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewing the CD did not find any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. It was evident that the footage was shot with the prior consent of the concerned authority and contained information volunteered by the Ordnance Factory officials. NBSA however decided to inform the MoI&B that if it felt that there was anything improper or illegal, it may take up the matter with the Ministry of Defence, so that necessary instructions can be issued to the Ordnance Factories. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform MoI&B accordingly.

The complaint relates to the manner of reporting by Marathi news channels viz. Zee 24 Taas, ABP Majha, IBN Lokmat news on 5.8.2016 relating to the Mahad bridge collapse in Maharashtra. According to the complainant, the channels were taking interviews of relatives of victims, members of rescue teams, police and administrative officers involved in rescue operations in a most unprofessional, disgusting and objectionable manner.

11.11.2016
NBSA noted that IBN Lokmat did not submit the CD. Their response was that the complaint was in the form of feedback and they had forwarded the same to the editors to take suitable action and secondly, the complaint did not indicate the relevant date and time when this news was purportedly played. NBSA considered the complaints, responses from Zee 24 Taas, ABP Majha and also viewed the CD. NBSA did not find any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. It was, however, of the view that the broadcasters be reminded that they should exercise care, caution and discretion and be sensitive to distressing situations of grief and bereavement.

The complaint relates to death of an army man and his cremation ceremony. According to the complainants, the channel had shown in their programme that the last rites of the deceased was not performed properly and pieces of his body had to be broken due to shortage of wood.

11.11.2016
NBSA considered the complaints, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA found that the channel did not make sufficient verification of facts before airing the news story. NBSA was of the view that it was an unnecessary coverage of a private family funeral and the report was not in good taste and there was an unnecessary intrusion of privacy of the family and it certainly violated the “Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage” which states that “the dead should be treated with respect. Close-ups of dead or mutilated bodies should not be shown”. NBSA therefore, decided to warn the broadcaster with the observation that such reports should be aired with proper verification and due care as it relates to the dignity of a dead person.

The EMMC report relates to a broadcast showing the victim of domestic violence and dowry without blurring her features, disclosing her face and also taking a byte of her family members. The report stated that the channel should have taken care before airing the story which had the effect of the victim and her family being tarnished in the society.

11.11.2016
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA found that the news story was about a pregnant woman accusing her husband and in-laws of physical torture in connection with dowry demand; and about the husband admitting her in a Mumbai hospital and running away. The object of the story was not to tarnish the image of the victim and her family, but to bring out her complaint so that such incidents did not occur. NBSA did not find anything objectionable and any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. It therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The EMMC report relates to broadcast of a video footage of four youth brutally beating up another, following a ruckus over a girl with whom one of them apparently had a love affair. The report stated that the broadcast was gory, violent and disturbing and thus, was not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition.

11.11.2016
NBSA considered the EMMC report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. The broadcaster stated that all the news channels in Karnataka had telecast the said content. The broadcaster r stated that in future it would take all necessary steps and precautions not to air such content. NBSA found that the visuals shown were indeed gory, violent and disturbing. However, in view of the assurance given by the broadcaster that it would be careful in the future, NBSA decided to close the complaint with a warning and any future transgressions would be viewed seriously. NBSA decided to inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint is in regard to a news story telecast by ABP News channel on 18.7.2016 and 19.7.2016 about AYUSH practitioners and Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda). The complainants alleged that the news story made derogatory remarks against AYUSH practitioners by calling them “Jholachaaps” and baselessly alleged that they were playing with the life of the people. The complainants contended that AYUSH practitioners possess legitimate medical degrees recognised by Government of India after undergoing a 5½ hears BAMS course. It was pointed out that 70% of rural population is served by AYUSH practitioners, whereas MBBS Doctors refuse to serve in villages. It was also contended that merely because a qualified AYUSH doctor sometimes prescribes allopathic drugs, he cannot be described as a quack or that he is committing an illegality. It was contended that the said the report has hurt the dignity of AYUSH doctors and Ayurveda, which is an age old Indian medical system.

11.11.2016
NBSA considered the complaints, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. The news story refers to a WHO report based on 2011 census. It does not describe qualified practitioners of AYUSH and other systems as ‘Jholachaaps’. It however points out that several doctors who have degrees in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Physiotherapy and Naturopathy are practicing Allopathy; and that several ASHA workers and compounders are also playing the role of doctors. It also refers to a statement that 85% of medical cases get cured on their own and that enables ‘Jholachaap’ doctors, that is, unqualified doctors, to run their illegal practices which may result in death of patients in some cases. NBSA noted that if the news story is viewed in the right context, there is nothing objectionable in the broadcast. The broadcast also does not violate any NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. NBSA found the news report to be in the interest of public, attempting to bring out the malpractices in certain areas of the medical field. It therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B, complainants and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complaint relates to a programme aired on ABP News on 12.9.2016, at 9.00 pm which according to the complainant was biased. According to the complainant, the broadcaster only showed one aspect of the Gomti river front project i.e. the political rivalry for the upcoming elections, but never mentioned the environmental aspect of it or went into any details, which was very important in this matter.

11.11.2016
NBSA noted that the broadcaster had responded to the complainant and had stated that the story was aired from a political activity perspective and they would be happy to incorporate the complainant’s point of view in the follow-up story on this issue, for which the broadcaster will get in touch with them. In view of the channel agreeing to incorporate the view point of the complainant, NBSA decided to close the matter with the rider that the broadcaster should inform NBSA of the action taken by them before closure of the complaint.

The complainant has alleged that a wrong and highly defamatory report due to which the complainant and his family suffered agony and humiliation. According to the complainant his wife Smt.V. Padmavathi is the Manager of Narikkuni A.U.P. School situated at Narikkuni. There was an unsafe building in the school, which was a threat to the safety of school children. The Education Department authorities instructed the Manager to demolish the unsafe building immediately. On the morning on 5.8.2016, channel’s reporter along with some other persons entered the school premises and without getting permission from the school authorities, started shooting pictures of the partially demolished building and the same was telecast simultaneously with a running commentary, which was totally wrong and highly defamatory to the school Manager. The reporter stated that the Manager was demolishing the building with the intention of closing the school and selling the land. The false report of the channel’s reporter was based on wrong information given by a suspended teacher of the school, who wanted to wreak vengeance against the Manager. The complainant alleged that the channel’s reporter never cared to seek the version of the Manager and teachers of the school. After sometime, the Manager contacted the reporter and explained to him the real facts. Even after getting this information, the earlier version was continued to be telecast, from which it was clear that channel’s reporter deliberately wanted to defame the Manager and the school. Channel’s wrong report caused irreparable damage to the prestige and honour of the Manager and the school. The unauthorized entry of the reporter and the team had disrupted the functioning of the school.

11.11.2016
NBSA considered the response and also viewed the CD of the alleged broadcasts. NBSA noted that sufficient opportunity was given to the complainant to give his views/comments and his views were also broadcast. NBSA did not find any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. It therefore decided to close the matter and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.

The complainant alleged that in the programme Satyava Samna, the broadcaster had flashed letter dated 27.7.2007 addressed by Justice M.M. Das to the Chairman, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) for allotment of B category plot in Abhinaba Bidanasi Project Area preferably in Sectors 6, 7, 8 and 9 from the discretionary quota. The complainant desired to know how Zee Kalinga got the said letter and the source. According to her, she had obtained the copy of the “request letter” of Justice M.M. Das on High Court letter head under RTI filed in 2013. She alleged that the said letter belonged to her and was telecast without prior consent.

1.9.2016
NBSA found that the complaint was without any merit. The complainant does not have proprietary right in a document obtained under RTI query. If she could get, anyone else could get it. She has not stated what is her interest in the matter. The complaint was frivolous. There was no violation, by the channel, of any NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations & Guidelines. NBSA decided to reject the complaint accordingly.