- Acting on complaints of spreading hatred and communal disharmony, the NBDSA has imposed fines on Times Now Navbharat and News18 India, while issuing a warning to Aaj Tak.
- The regulatory body found violations of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards, particularly regarding impartiality, objectivity, neutrality, and accuracy.
- Times Now Navbharat’s anchor Himanshu Dixit was singled out for targeting the Muslim community and generalizing inter-faith relationships as ‘love jihad.’
- News18 India, through shows anchored by Aman Chopra and Amish Devgan, was found guilty of communalizing the Shradda Walker case as ‘love jihad.’
- Aaj Tak, specifically a program anchored by Sudhir Chaudhary, faced reprimand for generalizing acts of violence during Ram Navami as targeting a particular community.
- The NBDSA’s swift action underscores the commitment to uphold journalistic integrity and prevent the dissemination of divisive content that fuels communal tensions.
Following complaints of spreading hatred and communal disharmony, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), under the leadership of retired Supreme Court judge Justice AK Sikri, has imposed fines on Times Now Navbharat and News18 India, while issuing a warning to Aaj Tak.
The regulatory body, responding to complaints lodged by activist Indrajeet Ghorpade, found violations of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards, particularly regarding impartiality, objectivity, neutrality, and accuracy.
Times Now Navbharat’s anchor Himanshu Dixit was singled out for targeting the Muslim community and generalizing inter-faith relationships as ‘love jihad.’ News18 India, through shows anchored by Aman Chopra and Amish Devgan, was found guilty of communalizing the Shradda Walker case as ‘love jihad.’ Aaj Tak, specifically a program anchored by Sudhir Chaudhary, faced reprimand for generalizing acts of violence during Ram Navami as targeting a particular community.
As a consequence, Times Now Navbharat and News 18 India have been fined Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively, with all three channels directed to remove online uploads of the offending programs within seven days.
The NBDSA’s swift action underscores the commitment to uphold journalistic integrity and prevent the dissemination of divisive content that fuels communal tensions. This move serves as a reminder to media outlets of their responsibility to adhere to ethical standards and refrain from perpetuating communal narratives for sensationalism or political agendas.
(With inputs from agencies)
