Complaint dated 31.1.2019: The news anchor reported that, “Additional General Secretary of National conference, Dr. Mustafa Kamaal attended a program in Kathua in which Dr. Kamaal highlighted the need to protect Article 370 and made allegations that the government was not treating militants properly and that government is also not ready to talk to Pakistan for solving issues”. The interview of Dr. Mustafa Kamaal has been shown by the channel one-sidedly and all allegations put by Dr. Kamaal against armed forces have been highlighted by the channel, but the other side of the story has been completely ignored by the channel purposely, as it was apparently a paid news to misguide the innocent viewers of the channel. Complaint dated 6.2.2019: The channel broadcasted in a programme titled “Bulletin” that, “Three militants were killed in the area Binaar, Baramula. The channel confirmed the fact that during an operation, three militants got killed by the Army but the main headline that every channel had shown was ignored by the news anchor that after this operation in Baramula the district is clean from militants and the district has no militant left in the area now and has been declared a free district now by the Army where there is no militant for now. This big news was the headline of every news channel and newspapers as well but the channel seems to purposely conceal the fact that Baramula is a free district now. Response from Broadcaster Broadcaster in their response stated that in the news aired on News18 Urdu on 20th January 2019 at 19.00 hrs, the channel aired an event along with views expressed by Mr. Mustafa Kamal, a member of National Conference on Article 35A and 370 of the Constitution of India. In the news story, they aired the event along with views expressed by Mr. Mustafa Kamal. Regarding the news aired on News18 Urdu on 23rd January 2019 at 19.00 hrs, the channel stated that it had informed the viewers about three militants who were killed in an encounter. It also carried the byte of the SSP, who gave the details of the encounter. In the said byte the SSP did not mention that Baramulla district was cleared of militancy. Since their news story was based on actual facts and there was no official confirmation about Baramulla district being cleared of militancy at the time of airing the said news story, they did not mention the same in the news story. Broadcaster stated that around 11:00 PM the police issued its official press release about the encounter, which was aired on the channel.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the complaints, response of the broadcaster, viewed the broadcasts and perused the English translation of the script. NBSA found no violation of its Regulations or Guidelines in regard to the said broadcast, as the content of the broadcasts were within the editorial discretion/freedom. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

Showing stunt crash The EMMC report stated that the channel has carried a segment namely ‘Stunt Crash’ based on various dangerous motor bike stunts with ‘No disclaimer’ on its screen. As these stunts are being performed by youth, it may influence many others to imitate the stunts. Response from the broadcaster: Broadcaster submitted that they had telecast a news programme about failed motor bike stunts under the named ‘stunt crash’. The story was about the accidents which took place while performing dangerous motor bike stunts on road which were against the law. It was submitted that the footage provided to NBSA did not constitute the whole news item and that the news item, if seen in entirety would make it clear that the object was to encourage road safety and discourage unlawful stunts, as shown in the video. The purpose behind telecasting the programme in question was to raise an alarm in public that how dangerous these kinds of stunts can be and not to incite the youth to indulge in such practices. The intention behind the telecast was to act as a medium to bring up such unlawful incidents to the notice of the audience, so that they can take proper precautionary measures and also to trigger the law enforcement agencies. They regretted any oversight/error and assured that they will endeavour to ensure that the unintended violation would not be repeated.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA noted it was not proper for the broadcaster to air the programme without a “disclaimer”. NBSA noted that what was broadcast on the channel was not in the nature of “news”; that the programme showed the stunts in great detail virtually eulogizing the stuntmen; that the avowed object of the broadcaster could have been achieved by showing the visuals of the stunt once or twice, instead of repeatedly showing the stunts in a loop throughout the broadcast which sensationalized the stunts and could lead youngsters trying to imitate the stunts thereby putting their lives to risk. NBSA decided that the broadcaster be warned to be careful in future in broadcasting such visuals. NBSA decided to close the matter and inform the broadcaster and EMMC accordingly.

Showing disturbing visuals EMMC report stated that the channel has carried extremely disturbing visuals of a 65-year-old man who fell from a train in Bhopal city. Channel has carried visuals of a man lying at the railway platform and bleeding as he lost his hands after the fall. While reporting the news, the channel has not blurred the visuals properly, hence such type of visuals offended good taste/decency and did not appear to be suitable for unrestricted public exhibition. EMMC commented that such news telecasts may hurt the sensitivities of the viewers and victim’s family. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the said news report covered the shocking incident that took place in Bhopal where a 65 year old man allegedly fell from the train and was lying injured and bleeding on the railway platform. The channel had carried the said news story and the visuals, and in order to highlight the insensitivity shown by the public towards such an unfortunate incident. At all times, the visuals were blurred to ensure sensitivity as the incident was disturbing in nature. The object of carrying this story was to highlight the apathy and insensitivity shown by the people towards the elderly man who was profusely bleeding and in need of help, who could have been saved by timely assistance. The broadcast therefore played an important role in conveying the message to the public that such incidents while being extremely regrettable are still rampant in society and underscored the need for the people to render assistance to unfortunate victims of accidents. The treated (blurred) visuals were carried only in context, to the insensitivity shown by the public and to enable viewers to correlate and understand the extent of apathy shown towards another person’s suffering that ultimately cost a precious life. It was not in any manner telecast to cause any grievance or pain to the victim’s family as alleged.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the complaint, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the CD. NBSA noted that the broadcast was in public interest. NBSA was of the view that the broadcaster had done its duty by reporting the incident and found no violation of any Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and therefore decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcaster accordingly.

Carrying a byte of Justice (Retd.) Kolse Patil EMMC Report: EMMC report stated that the channel carried a byte of Justice (Retd.) Kolse Patil saying - “We organize Elgar Parishad on December 31 (2017). Now they say Naxalite money was pumped into the event. This is a complete 100% lie, ‘haramkhori’ hai. These Bastard (####) ‘haramkhor’ don’t understand that we never took money from anyone”. While telecasting the news bulletin, the channel did not beep/muted the offensive Hindi explicit spoken by (Retd.) Justice. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the said news report showed the byte of Justice (Retd.) Kolse Patil, one of the organisers of the Elgar Parishad, who while addressing the media on the Elgar Parishad used certain abusive words while referring to the police who had allegedly claimed that Naxalite money was pumped into the event which was held on December 31, 2017. The said byte was sourced from a reputed news agency. As can be seen in the video clip, the news report was carried live on 28.8.2018 and as such the anchor or any of the channel’s representatives had no control or anticipation of what a guest or speaker would state on-air. Being a judge, and a legal luminary, it was also not expected of Justice (Retd) Kolse Patil to use such unparliamentary language/words. In fact, the news report that continued also showed another guest Col. RSN Singh, who was very critical of the choice of words by Justice (Retd) Kolse Patil. The sound byte was not used again by the channel. Being a live broadcast, there could not have been any pre-screening of the content, as such a step would have defeated the spirit of a live programme. Broadcaster clarified that the channel does not endorse or support the views of persons who appear on the channel. Such views are solely that of the person and not of the channel or any of its representatives.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA noted that being a live broadcast, there could not have been any pre-screening of the content. NBSA also noted that the broadcaster confirmed that the offensive sound byte was not used/repeated again by the channel. NBSA therefore did not find any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines and decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a news report about a minor girl being beaten up in Jhansi, UP: The EMMC report stated that the channel broadcasted a news report of a 14 year old minor being beaten in Jhansi. The video showed some people beating a minor badly by sticks. According to the news report, some unknown people had kidnapped the minor in February and she could not be found even after an extensive search. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the video was widely circulated on social media platforms and the intention of the channel was not to sensationalize the horrific incident but to make the public at large aware of the cruelty meted out to a minor girl who had been kidnapped and the police administration was unable to locate her for months. The video was blurred properly, and face of the minor was not visible in the said video. It has been wrongly alleged in the complaint that said video was not blurred.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. The broadcast of a minor girl being beaten by some unknown people with sticks, is justifiable on the ground of public interest, as it is a part of media’s duty to highlight instances of condemnable conduct and actions, affecting the public life in current society. NBSA did not find anything objectionable in the broadcasts nor any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a viral video of beating a woman by her husband in Aligarh UP The EMMC report stated that the channel has shown a video that went viral from Aligarh (UP) showing a person beating, dragging and kicking his wife. It was stated that the husband and father-in-law of the victim were indulging in violence against her for six months and she had filed a case of dowry torture against them. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the video was broadcast in a news report relating to atrocities on women. The news showed a husband beating his wife black and blue. They have shown this video because if such incidents of atrocities and injustice towards women are not shown, the public will not be sensitised towards violence on women and such hapless women will not get justice. They pointed out that on several previous occasions, when such atrocities against women, children and elderly persons were aired, the system and authorities woke up and proper action was taken against the culprits and the victims would not get justice.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA found that the object of the news story was to bring out the brutality being meted out to a woman by her husband for dowry, which is a social evil in our society; and that the reporting was in public interest, as the visuals were aired to create an impression in the minds of viewers, on how women suffer in the hands of spouses and in-laws for dowry. NBSA was of the view that such reports would have the effect of awakening the society to take a stand against the evil of dowry, apart from prodding the law enforcement agencies to take strong action against the perpetrators of such heinous acts. 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 EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a viral video of teasing a female student in Saharsa, Bihar: EMMC report stated that the channel had broadcasted a viral video from Saharsa, Bihar which showed some persons teasing a female student in broad day light. The video showed that when a student was riding a bicycle, some boys started teasing her and continued teasing in spite of the friend pleading that they should stop teasing and also recorded the teasing. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that 28th August, 2018 witnessed intense violence in Bihar. This was the leading headline of the day. A group of men molested a girl, who was on her way on bicycle. The incident witnessed is a blot on our society. The news was shown using video clips. The nature of the news was such that without these videos it was difficult to expose the culprit. This issue is a subject of sensitive debate across the country as to why molestation is becoming the order of the day. While showing this particular news they had indeed blurred the video.

28.3.2019
NBSA noted that the visual objected to, were shown to emphasize the serious nature of the incident and shake the conscience of the public, both for its brutality and its social implications; there was a need to highlight the incident in public interest; that the footage of the incident cannot be seen in isolation and must be viewed along with the news report which was aimed at conveying a basic tenet of civilized society to its viewers that girls in our society cannot be abused in this manner and shamed. NBSA did not find anything objectionable in the broadcasts nor any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

News report of beating of 12 year old boy in Ghaziabad EMMC report stated that the channel showed news related to beating of a kid badly in Ghaziabad. According to the news some men beat a 12-year-old boy for allegedly stealing a mobile phone. During the course of the report, the channel showed a video in which the boy was hung upside down from a ceiling fan and was punched and beaten by belt, stick, slippers. The video also showed that during this incident, the perpetrators also tried to beat another boy but stopped when he said that he would lodge a police complaint. The channel should refrain from repeatedly and continuously showing such disturbing visuals or they should be blurred properly. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the news related to atrocities on a minor. A child was beaten black and blue by some muscleman for stealing a mobile phone. As a responsible news channel, they were duty-bound to report the incident, and in fact ensured that the child's identity was not revealed. Through this video, they also wanted to draw the attention of the police and administration so that the guilty were brought to book and punished in the harshest possible way. If such news was not shown by the news channels then the local strongmen will use muscle power and influence and will go unscathed.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA was of the view that the broadcasts were in public interest and it was the duty of the media to highlight, report and expose such brutality being meted out; and that reporting such incidents would facilitate the law and order machinery of the State to take strict action against the perpetrators of such gruesome acts, which brutality happened in this case. NBSA did not find anything objectionable in the broadcasts nor any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a viral video of beating a woman in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. EMMC report stated that the channel broadcasted a video that went viral from Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu which showed some people severely beating a woman. According to the broadcasted news, this incident took place due to a land dispute in which the family of the elder brother of the victim beat her up after finding her alone in the house. In the video broadcasted by the channel, first the head of the woman is smashed on the floor and then she is tied to a tree and beaten badly. During this time the women and her child both beg for mercy, which were ignored. The channel partially blurred the video but the visuals were clearly discernible. Reply from the Broadcaster: Broadcaster clarified that the entire report of the news story was done with the object of highlighting the shocking incident where a woman was ruthlessly beaten by her relatives. There was no intention whatsoever of the channel to sensationalize or glamorize the horrific incident but instead, the aim was to bring this horrific incident to the notice of the concerned authorities and force them to take necessary actions against the accused(s). Moreover, the channel took all necessary precaution while airing the footage of the said incident including, by blurring the face of the victim and her child but not of the accused(s)/ perpetrators, so as to ensure that they were readily identifiable by the enforcement agencies, to enable them to take necessary action against them.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA found that the aim was to bring this horrific incident to the notice of the concerned authorities and persuade them to take necessary actions against the accused(s) so that such incidents did not occur in future. NBSA found that the broadcast was in public interest and it did not contain any objectionable content and therefore there was no violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. It therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.

Broadcast of a viral video of beating a boy in Kathua, Kashmir: EMMC report stated that the channel broadcasted a video that went viral from Kashmir’s Kathua in which a Gujjar community youth who got married to a girl of the same community but without the permission of her family was hung upside down and severely beaten. The news report narrated that the family members of the girl first kidnapped the boy and took him to an unknown place, hung him upside down and severely beat him. The channel showed the video in which some people are seen beating the boy after hanging him upside down and the boy begging for mercy and crying “Oh Sorry, Oh for Allah’s sake”. Response from Broadcaster: Broadcaster stated that the two clips highlighted by the EMMC date back to July and August 2018. In view of the observations of the EMMC, they have already advised their news room to use caution and exercise restraint while airing such videos. They stated that the broadcast in question was made in public interest so that the culprits are identified and brought to justice. Their intent in telecasting the said video was merely to condemn the acts and inform their viewers that such acts do not go unpunished by the authorities. The video clip was already in the public domain, before it was shown on their channel and was being widely circulated on social media platforms. They took additional precaution by blurring the faces of the victims.

28.3.2019
NBSA considered the EMMC Report, response of the broadcaster and also viewed the broadcast. NBSA was of the view that the broadcast was justifiable on the ground of public interest, and as it is a part of media’s duty to highlight instances of condemnable conduct and actions, affecting the public life in current society. NBSA did not find anything objectionable in the broadcasts nor any violation of NBA/NBSA Code of Ethics, Regulations and the Guidelines. NBSA therefore decided to close the matter and inform the EMMC and the broadcasters accordingly.