8.2.2021 MoI&B forwarded a footage containing recordings of news content carried by ‘Mirror Now (at 11:02:38 hrs on 13.10.2020 & at 13:37:52 hrs on 13.10.2020), News Nation (at 14:07:21 hrs. on 14.10.2020) and ABP News (at 08:04:15 hrs. on 12.10.2020)’ channel, which appeared to be in violation of Rule 6 (1)(a), Rule 6(1)(c) and Rule 6(1)(i) of the programme Code of Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, and Advisory dated 7.8.2018 issued by the Ministry. Channel: Mirror Now Clip – 1 &Clip-2 Date/Time of telecast: 13-10-2020 (11:02:08) &(13:37:52) ‘MIRROR NOW’s telecast two news reports dated 13-10-2020. The news carried on the time slot 11:02:08-11:05:38 was regarding a viral video captured on 8th October 2020. where a 60 years old man was forced to fall at a man’s feet repeatedly as one of his goat from the herd had entered the land of the upper caste. The old man was abused and threatened. The whole incident took place in Tamil Naidu. Also, in the same state, the Panchayat President, who was from a lower caste, was made to sit on the floor while the other colleagues were given chairs. The second report is from Uttar Pradesh, time 13:37:52-13:38:22. Where a man from a lower caste was beaten and forced to drink urine by a person against whom he had filed a police complainant. The word Dalit has been frequently used by the news channel while portraying people from a lower caste. Reply from Mirror Now response dated 24.2.2021: The channel stated that the Ministry had highlighted two instances of news broadcasts aired on the Channel on 13.10.2020, which are purportedly in violation of Programme Codes -6[1](a), 6[1](c) and 6[1](i) prescribed under the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 and the Advisory dated 7.8.2018 issued by Ministry on the use of the word “Dalit”. In response to the issues raised in the complaint, the channel stated as follows : MIRROR NOW CLIP – 1- (13.10.2020 @ 11:02 Hrs) The said news report covered two similar incidents that came to light that highlighted how people belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) were treated poorly. The first report was about a shepherd belonging to SC/ST community who was made to fall repeatedly at the feet of an upper-caste man and made to apologize because a goat from his herd had apparently entered into the land of someone belonging to the Thevar community. Following this, the shepherd, identified as Paulraj, from Olaikulam village, Kayathar, Tamil Nadu, was verbally abused and made to apologize in this insensitive manner. The news report also highlighted that a case had been registered against the accused persons under several sections, including the Prevention of Atrocity against SC/ST Act and that the Police are on the lookout for the 7 accused men. The second report was about a similar instance of caste disparity and atrocity, also from Tamil Nadu, in which pictures of an SC/ST Panchayat President seen sitting on the floor had gone viral, while others attending the meeting were seen sitting on chairs. MIRROR NOW CLIP – 2- (13.10.2020 @ 13:37 Hrs) The said news report covered another incident that transpired in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, where a 65-yr-old man belonging to SC/ST community was allegedly beaten and forced to drink urine by a person against whom the victim's family had filed a police complaint a week ago. It was alleged that the accused had earlier attempted to force the victim and his son to compromise and withdraw the said complaint. On refusal to do so, the accused is said to have assaulted him and forced him to drink urine. The news report also highlighted that one accused person had been arrested in the matter. The channel stated that both the aforesaid news reports were carried with the sole intention of highlighting the instances of social atrocities meted out to people from the SC/ST community. The reference or use of the word ‘Dalit’ in the said broadcasts was entirely inadvertent and unintentional. The Channel did not in any manner whatsoever offend or denigrate the SC/ST community by way of these news reports or otherwise. It reiterated that the use of the term ‘Dalit’ was entirely an inadvertent act on the part of the Channel. The sole purpose of the news reports was to amplify the message to the public that such incidents, while being extremely regrettable, are still rampant in our society. However, without prejudice to the aforesaid submissions, the channel stated that it wishes to draw the Authority’s attention, to the widely reported debate that ensued within the media industry as well as before judicial forums, on the practicality and reasonableness of the prohibition imposed on the use of the term ‘Dalit’ while referring to members of SC/ST. Specifically, the Press Council of India’s rejection of the advisory issued by the Ministry on the grounds that such a ban was neither practical nor feasible. In February 2019, the Hon’ble Supreme Court had also refused to entertain a plea that sought a ban on the use of the term ‘Dalit’. In view of the conflicting and contrary debate that continues to be prevalent on this subject, the channel wishes to humbly reiterate that the use of the term ‘Dalit’ on the Channel as part of the aforesaid news reports on 13.10.2020 was an inadvertent act and there was absolutely no malafide intent whatsoever on the part of the Channel to offend the SC/ST community or to violate any applicable laws or regulations. Following the receipt of this communication, fresh guidelines have been issued to the internal teams of the Channel to be more circumspect and objective while referring to the SC/ST community, in line with the spirit of the Advisory dated 07.08.2018 issued by the Ministry. Channel: News Nation & ABP News news Date/Time of telecast: 14.10. 2020 (14:07:21) & 12.10.2020 (08:04:15) The channel News Nation had telecast a news report dated 14.10. 2020. The news report was about a teenage girl age between 14-15 years who jumped into a well and committed suicide. The whole incident took place at Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. Out of four accused, one person has been arrested in regard to the whole incident. The girl was molested by the son of former Pardhan of the village. While running the story, the word Dalit has been used by the news channel. Secondly, ABP News While telecasting a news report regarding a woman being allegedly gang-raped in Baksar, district of Bihar, UP, the channel had continuously used the word “Mahadalit” Reply dated 26.2.2021 from News Nation: The broadcaster stated that it had conducted a thorough enquiry and checked the said news/show dated 14.10.2020. The impugned telecast/show was regarding the incident where a minor girl had ended her life after being sexually harassed and constantly teased by three neighbour youths in the district of Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. The broadcaster stated that it acknowledges the concern raised in the said letter and submits that all the codes, ethics and guidelines were followed by us while telecasting/airing the said show. That during the show, the reports gathered from the ground report were aired. Further, the news ticker appearing in the said show was accompanied by the ground report conducted by the Reporter while covering the incident in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. During the same report, while discussing the death by suicide of a gang-rape minor victim in Chitrakoot just a day before the Pratapgarh incident, the news ticker referred to the victim as someone belonging from the Dalit community. The word ‘Dalit’ was not used to discriminate any person/individual or organization belonging to any community or to create any communal divide or unrest by using the term in any derogatory sense. The word was not used to show any community/individual in a bad light. The broadcaster stated that even though the brief news ticker did mention the word ‘Dalit’, however, its reporters had, while reporting from the ground, refrained from mentioning the caste of the victim and instead emphasized on the poor economic background of the victim and her family; however, it submits that such usage of the term ‘Dalit’ was unintentional and unintended and will take more precautions in future while airing such incidents. It is against their editorial policy and journalistic practice to show or telecast anything that results in discrimination against any individual or community or create any communal or cultural divide or unrest in any manner whatsoever. The broadcaster reiterated that the word “Dalit” was used only once in the graphical text during live of reporter from Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh. The program was not repeated afterwards as it was reporter’s live show. Asa matter of policy, it keeps archived the record of bulletins for three months. As the alleged violation took place on 14th October 2020, it did not have the record. Reply dated 8.3.2021 from ABP News: The broadcaster submitted that it had examined the complaint forwarded to it by way of e-mails dated 19.02.2021 and 22.02.2021, along with the video and the advisory issued. The broadcaster stated that the complaint concerns the use of the word “Mahadalit”. In this regard, it is submitted that the video in question wanted to highlight the extremely unfortunate state of affairs of law & Order and with respect to the cold-blooded violence inflicted by way of gang-rape of a mother and the murder of her 5-year-old child. It admits that there had been a deviation from the advisory, however, the context was not to offend good taste or decency or was in any manner an attack on religion or community or being contentious of a religious group or which can promote communal attitudes. Neither the same was in any manner criticizing, maligning or slandering any individual in person or certain groups, segments of the social, public and moral life of the country. The word “Dalit” in Hindi is in the context of someone who has been crushed and suppressed in society. The news only wanted to highlight the sorry state of affairs when it comes to enforcement of laws against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes and was telecast with a wishful hope that some strict action would be taken against the culprits, who should not be spared for having committed such heinous crime. The broadcaster stated that it has once again taken note of the advisory and it seems that awareness about the same has not been created since it is still commonly used by many news channels. Further, the use of the word should ideally be prohibited when the same also qualifies as mischief under the Programming Code provisions of Cable Television Rules, 1994 as against having a blanket ban on the same. The broadcaster further stated that in the present case, the use of the word “Mahadalit” was only to show the gravity and enormity of the atrocious act committed by the offenders and was not in any manner derogatory to the Scheduled Caste. It is also to be appreciated that going by the background of the Bombay High Court order; it was only in the context of the removal of the word from the Government records and documents. It is also to be appreciated that the use of the word “Dalit” is also a matter of pride by certain sects. Further, the prohibition of the use of the word “Dalit” should not be in the form of a blanket ban but has to be contextual, keeping in mind the provisions of Cable Television Rules, 1994. The advisory has to be within the scope and ambit of the rules that one wants to enforce and should not end up adding, expanding or elaborating its overall scope, ambit and reach. In any event, the broadcaster stated that it shall be cautious in future and would be careful and shall surely keep in mind the advisory issued by MIB.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaints against the three broadcasters, responses from the broadcasters, and viewed the footage of the broadcasts. NBSA noted that ABP News had attached the advisory of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting stating that media may refrain from using the nomenclature "Dalit" while referring to members belonging to Scheduled Caste in compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble Bombay High Court and the Constitutional term 'Scheduled Caste' in English, and its appropriate translation in other national languages should alone be used for all official transaction, matters, dealings, certificates etc. for denoting the persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes notified in the Presidential Orders issued under Article 341 of the Constitution of India. NBSA observed that the Advisory stated that media may refrain from using the nomenclature "Dalit" while referring to members belonging to Scheduled Caste. In view of the above, NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards or the NBSA Guidelines in the broadcasts and decided that no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaints and inform the MoI&B and the broadcasters accordingly.

5.2.2021 The complaint was in respect of the distorted news reporting by various Malayalam Channels for purposefully provoking and to rage violence on January 26, 2021. The complainant alleged that certain news channels had reported news exhorting and glorifying violence, including acts of extremist organisations in which they made attempts to destabilize and overthrow the democratically elected Central Government. On 26.01.2021, when the Nation celebrated Republic day and when our National Flag was raised in the Red fort, certain terrorist and extremists elements masquerading as farmers laid siege to the National capital and indulged in calculated acts of violence and attempted to destabilize the Government and bring it to knees by resorting to riots across the National Capital. These extremists engaged in large scale destruction of public property and attacked law enforcement personnel and helpless citizens. These atrocities culminated into a forced entry and trespass into the pride monument Red Fort where a flag of a religious denomination was hoisted after removing the Indian Tricolor. The said extremists also caught hold of Indian flags and destroyed them. These actions constituted sedition, waging war against the Nation and collecting arms for the same after a conspiracy. However, the following Malayalam news channels, namely, Manorama news and Reporter TV news channel, actively facilitated the actions of sedition and waging war against the Nation by continuously giving factually false news, exhorting, encouraging and glorifying it. NBSA noted that Reporter TV is not a member of NBA. Hence it cannot consider the complaint filed against it. The Delhi Bureau Chief Sawad Muhammed of Manorama News reported called the hoisting of religious flag in Red Fort after attacking security forces as "capture of Delhi". Thereafter, the channel and its reporter glorified the action of raising a religious flag in Red fort which he described as a symbol of Nation to be a brave and valiant act and justified it as a rightful reaction to the atrocities committed against the farmers by the Government. The aforesaid news channels falsely reported that one of the agitators was shot by the police on head and had expired on the spot while riding the tractor rally during the protest. It is evident that such news (fake news) at that fury moment may fuel riots of large scale as people may believe that the news reported is right. In fact nobody had died in the protest from police firing, and Police despite attacks on them kept their calm well. Further, fake reports by the above mentioned news channels could have had nationwide repercussions. Many could have died in the riots. The complainant alleged that the aforesaid actions of News Channels attracts legal action under sections of IPC 121, 121A, 124A,505,150,153, 153A,153B,298 IPC without any doubt. The complainant stated that on a perusal of the news articles would show that Manorama News Channel’s Facebook page (Malayalam News Channel) and its reports exhorted, facilitated, glorified and justified acts of war and thereby engaged in the same and also committed sedition. The aforesaid News Channel in its report stated that a protestor had died as a result of Police firing during the protest and that his brain had burst out, which actually didn't happen at all. The impugned report was purposeful fabricated news to fuel the riots on January 26, 2021, against the sovereignty and integrity of the nation. The news reported was false and fabricated and was propaganda material used in order to instigate public unrest, riots and war on the Nation. The video shared in this complaint belonged to Manorama News. The complainant alleged that in the impugned video, Mr. Sawad Muhammed exhorted, facilitated, glorified and justified acts of war and thereby engaged in the same and also committed sedition. Therefore, on the basis of the above described and narrated facts and evidence, the complainant urged the Ministry of I&B to urgently interfere in the matter and take action against the above mentioned news channels and newspapers including and not limiting to registration of FIR leading to arrests. It is submitted that action may be taken against the above news channels/newspapers under provisions of The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, The Cinematographic Act, 1952, and provisions of the Indian Penal Code and other Acts and statutes and that steps maybe taken to take the accused channels off air and to initiate prosecution against the reporters, managing personnel and the editors of the accused news agencies. Further, relevant charges under the IPC for waging war against the democratic system of the country may also be attracted. The broadcaster, in its response dated 22.2.2021, stated that on 26.1.2021, two major events were happening in and around Delhi. One was the Republic day function, and the other was the rally organized by the farmers protesting against the Farm Law. Like any other mainstream news channel, it had covered both the functions with equal prominence. The broadcaster stated that the news bulletin pertained to the factual happening in the Capital city in a realistic manner. The allegations raised against the broadcaster are all superficial in nature without giving specific instance of the alleged violation and how the same is against the law of the land. The allegation in the complaint that it facilitated the action of sedition and waging war against the Nation by continuously giving false news, exhorting, encouraging, and glorifying it is factually incorrect, lacks genuineness and hence is denied. Further, the allegation appearing in various para of the complaint that it glorified the violence and the act of extremist organization is emphatically denied by it The complaint filed by the complainant raised the issue that the video seen on www.manoramanews.com in respect of the death of the farmer was telecast on the channel at 13:54:39 hours to 14:01:50. While the bulletin pertaining to the hoisting of a flag by a farmer appearing on the YouTube page was telecast on the channel between 14:01:51 to 14:21:04. The allegation in the complaint that the news was reported by Mr. Sawad Muhammed, Delhi Bureau Chief is baseless, factually incorrect and hence denied. The broadcaster stated that Mr. Sawad Muhammed is not the Delhi Bureau Chief. Had the complainant seen the news bulletin, he would have easily understood that the broadcaster had reported the factual happenings in Red Fort. That it had never glorified the hoisting of the flag by the farmers at any point of time. The allegation that it had reported that a farmer was shot by the police on head and he expired on the spot while riding the tractor rally during the protest is factually incorrect, baseless and hence denied. It is noticed that for the sake of filing the complaint, the complainant is picking and choosing certain words in isolation and trying to give a different meaning. The broadcaster stated that on perusal of the news bulletin, it can be seen that the broadcast was of the statement of the brother of the deceased who claimed that death of farmer was due to police shooting. Further, following the journalistic principles, it had given the version of the police department. Any prudent layman seeing the news bulletin telecast by it would easily understand that the news bulletin was not fake, distorted as alleged by the complainant and that the broadcaster was reporting the factual happenings in the Capital city in a realistic manner giving no scope for any sort of speculations and that there was no intention to instigate public unrest, riot and war against the Nation. The allegation raised by the complainant to the effect that it was continuously telecasting fake news is false and denied. The broadcaster stated that had it continuously broadcast wrong or fake news, the Government itself would have taken action against it. Further the allegation in the complaint that the channel was maligning the Republic of India, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Constitution of India as a whole is utterly false, baseless and denied.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint filed against Manorama News, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found that the broadcaster had reported the incidents relating to the Republic Day and the Farmer’s protest as the story evolved and developed. The broadcaster reported the version of both the deceased farmer’s brother’s version as well as the police’s version of the incident. In view of the above, NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards or the NBSA Guidelines in the broadcast and 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.

31.1.2021 The complainant stated that he would like to bring to notice the serious breach of internal security in the country under the veil of journalism by Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai. That he was aghast to see on live television what was happening on the 72nd Republic Day and how certain miscreants under the banner of protesting Farmers had breached the security and reached the ramparts of the Red Fort and desecrated the Indian Heritage site and National Flag. That during this event, certain so-called farmer leaders like Rakesh Tikait and Yogendra Yadav played an active role in instigating large mobs of people and led them to the ramparts of the Red Fort. It is also to be noted that intellectual support was given by Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, who under the garb of being a Journalist, peddled fake news, such fake news was shared not just on Social Media platforms like ‘Twitter’, but Mr. Sardesai also gave live Interviews to his channel ‘India Today’ and purposely promoted fake news internationally degrading the image of India. The complainant alleged that Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai has been an Intellectual support system to the miscreants and the mastermind of the miscreants. That his reporting cannot be called journalism as this was not expected of a journalist. Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai instigated more and more crowds by falsely claiming that a youth named ‘Navneet' who was protesting at the borders of New Delhi for new Farm Laws was shot dead by the Delhi Police. It was then clarified by the New Delhi Police that the said youth had died because of his own adventurous tractor stunts. That Mr. Sardesai though fully aware of this fact, disregarded all his journalistic values by making false claims in order to instigate, provoke and fuel anger in the minds of the crowds in Delhi. This impact was not only felt in New Delhi but such fake news had an impact all over India. That as a result, a wrong impression was created of India and Delhi Police not just in India but internationally. The complainant alleged that Mr. Sardesai was equally responsible as others for the criminal acts that transpired on 26.1.2021 on the ramparts of the Red Fort. The complainant alleged that Mr. Sardesai had a habit of peddling Fake News and giving intellectual support to all the miscreants who always go against India and nationalistic interests; strong action under the relevant sections of the UAPA, IPC, and other acts should also be levied against Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai for his role as a co-conspirator and intellectual support cannot be ruled out who has helped fuel this kind of unruly behavior by showing, broadcasting and tweeting absolute unverified fake news. Further, the complainant stated that it was also a matter of investigation as to if any monetary benefits were derived by Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai and/or India Today within India or outside India for providing deliberate intellectual support under the veil of Journalism to such miscreants, anti-nationals and fake news cottage industry. The complainant requested for necessary action to be taken against Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai and India Today as per law. The broadcaster, in its response dated 5.3.2021, stated that the complaint relates to the events which had transpired on 26.1.2021. The broadcaster stated that on that day, after the Republic Day celebrations, a farmer’s tractor rally was scheduled to take place in Delhi. The broadcaster’s team of journalists, including Mr. Sardesai, were deployed to cover the said events. Around 2:15 PM near the ITO, Delhi, there was violence, and a large crowd had assembled on the main road. It was later on discovered that a person had died at the said spot. On the same date, at around 2:51 PM, Mr. Sardesai had tweeted from his personal Twitter handle, stating therein that a person named Navreet had been killed ‘allegedly’ in police firing. On the same date, at around 3:00 PM, a live broadcast was carried out on their news channels wherein Mr. Sardesai had again claimed that the said person had been shot at. The broadcaster stated that since the impugned broadcast had taken place live, the news channels had no further control. After the broadcast, there were reports to the effect that the said person had not died out of a gunshot injury. Therefore, at the request of the broadcaster, Mr. Sardesai had, at around 3:12 PM deleted the tweet he had posted. Therefore, the tweet was deleted within 22 minutes of its being posted. Thereafter, at around 3:30 PM in a live broadcast, its news channels carried a report showing that the cause of death of the aforesaid deceased being a gunshot injury is the version of the protestors as provided at the site. At around 5:30 PM, it was confirmed by the Delhi Police that they had CCTV Footage to the effect that the said deceased had died because his tractor over-turned. This version was immediately broadcast by its channels at around 5:47 PM. This version was also reiterated at around 7:10 PM, wherein it was pointed out that the police authorities had shown great restraint and that there was no evidence of any bullet being fired. A perusal of the entire broadcast on its channels during the entire day (i.e. on 26th January, 2021) would show that its broadcast had provided information to the public as and when the same was available. In a fast-developing story, the initial broadcast may be based on a version given by a particular side. However, as the events unfolded, the balance between the various versions is normally played out. At that stage, the facts are better trenched. The broadcast would show that both the versions were initially pointed out, and based on the material provided by either side, the credibility of the version of one side was established. The entire broadcast on its channels shows that the version ultimately provided by the police authorities was relied upon. This is entirely due to the fact that as the events transpired, new material showing the credibility of the version of the police authorities stood established. The events of 26th January 2021, and the broadcast carried out by its news channels, if viewed in a holistic manner, show that the broadcast and the news reporting was in consonance with the facts as it developed over a period of time. The broadcaster stated that its company, as well as its news channels, are deeply committed to broadcast the correct and true facts to the public at large. It did not agree that its news channel was in any manner involved in ‘promoting’ fake news or intentionally degrading the image of India. Further, it had also internally examined the issues raised by the complainant in the above-referred complaint. The broadcaster would like to assure that it would take strict action for any deviation from the ethical standards.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and also viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that the story with regard to the farmer’s protest at ITO was an evolving story and was being broadcast “live”. The broadcaster was continuously updating the news and had also broadcast the police version in its broadcasts at different points of time as the story was developing. In view of the above, NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards or the NBSA Guidelines in the said broadcast. NBSA decided to close the complaint with the above observations and inform MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

29.1.2021 The complainant alleged that the journalist, while reporting the incident of the bomb blast at the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, had used the name Aurangzeb Road instead of Abdul Kalam Road. The complainant stated that the reference to Aurangzeb Road instead of Abdul Kalam Road was a lapse on the part of the journalist. However, a few seconds later, a police official who was giving the details of the incident also referred to Abdul Kalam Road as Aurangzeb Road, which is not expected of persons giving TV news. That the aforesaid lapse was against repeated at 1823 hours and at 1826 hours when even the Fire Brigade Official referred to Abdul Kalam Road as Aurangzeb Road. The complainant requested for the journalist to be advised suitably in the matter. The broadcaster, in its response dated 17.2.2021, submitted that the reference to the old name of Abdul Kalam Road, i.e. Aurangzeb Road, was made while reporting to ensure that there was more clarity with respect to the location of the occurrence of the blast. In this regard, the broadcaster referred to the statement made at 4:25 minutes during the broadcast wherein it was stated that “???????? ??? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ??….”. It stated that thereafter all the references made to the said road by the old name was done by the Police Services and by Fire Department officials. It reiterated that reference was made to the old name of the road to ensure that there was no confusion with respect to the blast location amongst its viewers.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards or the NBSA Guidelines in the broadcast and 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.

21.1.2021 The complaint relates to a broadcast on Times Now regarding the alleged information leaked by PMO on the Balakot Airstrikes conducted by the IAF on 26.2.2019 to Mr. Arnab Goswami. The complainant alleged that the broadcaster has also brainwashed many families of the martyrs in the Pulwama Terrorist attack by telling them to say that Arnab is "??????" and used it to gain TRP's. Many Indian Army Retired Personnel’s were also mocking the PMO, Cabinet Ministers and Arnab Goswami. The broadcaster had brainwashed them to say rubbish things about the Govt and the journalist Arnab Goswami, who was part of Times Now Channel till 2016 & afterwards in 2017 opened his own channel Republic TV. The broadcaster, in its response dated 19.3.2021, stated the grievance petition refers to content broadcast on Times Now on the allegations that information regarding the Balakot airstrikes conducted by the Indian Air Force on 26.02.2019 was purportedly leaked by the PMO to Mr. Arnab Goswami. The broadcaster stated that said grievance petition failed to mention the date of the broadcast by which the petitioner is aggrieved. The petition merely made false and baseless presumptions on the intent of the channel in carrying certain news content surrounding Mr. Goswami related to the TRP scam and proceeded to name senior journalists, anchors and reporters of the channel as participants to the alleged act of destroying Mr. Goswami’s reputation by way of such news reports. The broadcaster stated that as part of the overall news coverage on the TRP scam and related investigations, they had reported on the alleged WhatsApp chats between Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Mr. Arnab Goswami and former BARC CEO Mr. Partho Dasgupta, that are part of the Mumbai Police’s 3,600-page supplementary charge sheet filed in the TRP scam, it raised questions whether critical information on the Balakot airstrikes was ‘leaked’ to Mr. Goswami, 3 days prior to the air strike. The news report merely highlighted several allegations and objections, including that of the Congress party against the Government and Mr. Goswami for this alleged leak of sensitive and critical information concerning national security. The allegations that the channel had ‘brainwashed’ the family of the martyrs and retired army personnel to call Mr. Goswami a “traitor” and to say ‘rubbish things’ against him and the Government were preposterous, baseless and reflect on the complainant’s intention to target, harass and intimidate the channel. As a news medium, Times Now was well within its rights to report on this issue that held significant national interest.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint and response from the broadcaster. NBSA noted that in the absence of the date and time of the alleged broadcast, it was not possible for NBSA to proceed with the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

1.2.2021 MoI&B stated that while telecasting news about a murder of a TMC worker in Mathabhanga village of Cooch Behar who was beaten to death with sharp weapons allegedly by BJP supporters, the channel had shown the dead body without blur. It stated that the visuals in the impugned programme were very disturbing and not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition and, therefore, violated the programme code 6[1](a) and 6[1](o) under CTN(R). The broadcaster, in its response dated 19.2.2021, admitted that during the course of the telecast on 17.9.2020 regarding the murder in Mathanbanga village Cooch Behar certain visuals were shown, which were duly blurred. Despite which, the broadcaster stated that it would like to express its regret if some individuals found the visuals to be disturbing. The broadcaster stated that it had taken precaution while airing the impugned news clip and had also blurred the visuals thereof. That it had no malafide intention of any kind in airing the news clip in violation of applicable laws. Without prejudice, it stated that the impugned news clip was certainly disquieting and that it shall adequately blur such disturbing visuals while reporting similar incidents henceforth. Further, the broadcaster submitted that it had aired an apology with regard to the same on 13.02.2021 at 10.10 AM on its channel and also removed the links pertaining to the impugned news clip from digital platforms.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that in view of the action taken by the broadcaster of having aired an apology and also having removed the links pertaining to the impugned news clip from digital platforms, no action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

19.1.2021 The complainant alleged that in the impugned programme, it was reported that China had entered the Indian borders and constructed a new village. The complainant stated that the reality, however, is that China had captured this area since 1959. Therefore, he requested the Government to verify this news and to take action against the broadcaster if the news is found to be fake news. The broadcaster, in its response dated 19.3.2021, stated that in the impugned programme, it had reported about the construction of a village within the Indian Territory, which has taken place between August 2019 and November 2020 as identified in satellite images sourced from Planet Labs Inc. The location of the village laid several kilometres within Indian territory as per official online maps of the Survey General of India. Further, it stated that India has never officially ceded an inch of its territory in Arunachal Pradesh to China, including this area. That the MacMahon Line marks India's territorial claim in Arunachal Pradesh and that this village lies well within the MacMahon Line/Line of Actual Control, neither of which have been delineated by India and China. The broadcast on the NDTV 24x7 channel clearly stated that the area has been in effective Chinese control since 1959. The broadcaster stated that the construction of this village is a violation of Clause VII of the 2005 Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India-China Boundary Question. Further, the construction of a village with 100+ homes, as clearly indicated by the high-resolution satellite images broadcast by it, confirms a Chinese intention to further populate a part of Indian territory located well within Indian territory, as shown in official maps of the Survey General of India. The broadcaster further clarified that no aspect of this report has been denied by either the Ministry of External Affairs or the Indian Army, both of which were forwarded the satellite images broadcast in the report and screenshots of its exact location as shown in online maps of the Survey General of India and a detailed questionnaire on the basis of which they issued a statement was carried in the report. Furthermore, it was stated that in November 2020, which is when the satellite image of the village was taken, the BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Tapir Gao, had warned the Lok Sabha of Chinese incursions in his State, referring specifically to the Upper Subansiri district, the location of this village. Therefore, the broadcaster submitted that the allegation of the complainant that the impugned news report was fake is completely baseless and devoid of any merit.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA found no violation of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards or the NBSA Guidelines in the broadcast and 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.

18.1.2021 The complainant stated that in the program 'Dangal' live on the Aaj Tak channel between 17.35 hours to 17.45 hours, one of the guests who were present on the show used the profane word "Bhadve" on live tv. The complainant, therefore, sought damages from the broadcaster. The broadcaster, in its response dated 17.2.2021, stated that during the impugned programme, Mr.Om Prakash Mishra (Spokesperson TMC), a guest on the programme while interacting with Mr.Awasthi (Political Analyst) used the said disrespectful word. The anchor immediately muted Mr. Mishra and warned and urged him not to use such words on camera as the same was inappropriate and highly unsuitable for the viewers of all age groups. Despite the warning from the anchor, Mr. Mishra kept making objectionable statements. The broadcaster submitted that the objectionable word was used during a live broadcast by the guest, and thereafter he was immediately muted from making any further statements and upon his failure to apologise, he was dropped from the debate programme.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that in view of the immediate remedial actions taken by the anchor during the live programme in compliance with NBSA Regulations, no further action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

15.1.2021 The complainant alleged that the broadcaster had aired fake news against PM Narendra Modi, Mr. Piyush Goyal and the farm law in its programme, Prime Time with Ravish Kumar. In the said programme aired on 14.1.2021, the anchor accused the Govt. of India of giving false data regarding the farm product procurement by the Government of India. The anchor referred to an infographic posted by Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal to state that the data given in the graphic is wrong. The complainant stated that on 11.1.2021, the Food and Public Distribution Minister, Mr. Piyush Goyal, had informed that the Government of India had procured 534 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of paddy till January 10 as compared to 423 LMT in the same period last year. Therefore, paddy procurement has gone up by 26% till now this year. The complainant stated that while the minister had clearly said that the data was for procurement up to 10th January, however, the anchor had used the procurement data for the whole of 2019-20 with the date for 1 April 2020 to 10 January 2020. The complainant stated that one cannot compare data for one whole year with the data for 9 months and 10 days in another year. Hence, the complainant alleged that the anchor had misled the people that the Government was lying, and therefore he sought Government action against the impugned broadcast. The broadcaster, in its response dated 19.3.2021, stated that a government infographic regarding paddy procurement was telecast on 14.1.2021 in the impugned programme titled “Prime Time with Ravish Kumar”. The aforesaid infographic was sourced from a tweet on 11.1.2021 on paddy procurement by the Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution. The infographic said that paddy procurement had increased by 26% between 2019-20 and 2020-2021. A footnote in very small print said the data for 2020-2021 was effective till January 10, 2021. However, there was no equivalent disclaimer of “upto Jan 10” for the data listed for the previous year. As part of its research and fact-checking, it had reviewed the procurement data for rice available on the websites of the Food Corporation of India (https://fci.gov.in/) and the Department of Food and Public Distribution (https://dfpd.gov.in/), both of which only provided monthly data. The broadcaster stated that it had found a figure of 519 LMT for the procurement of rice and erroneously used that as the benchmark for paddy procurement for the financial year 2019-20. Therefore, the reference to procurement till 10.2.2021 was duly acknowledged in the programme by the anchor, who had stated that this data was reflective of procurement till the present time. That the mistake lay in its assessment of the data for 2019-20. However, the same was not done with any malintent. Further, it clarified that it had only reported on the infographic, which served as the sole source of information and that no reference was made at all to the Hon’ble Minister or his tweet. The broadcaster stated that as soon as they noticed the error, the anchor tendered an apology in the 9 PM news on Saturday, 16.1.2021 on its channel NDTV India and also on its Twitter handle.

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA held that in view of the corrective action taken by the broadcaster, no further action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.

1.1.2021 ABP NEWS ?? ?????? 30/04/20 ???? ????? 9.17 ????? ?????? "??????????" ????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ("?????????" )??? ????????? ??? ???? ??? ?? ???? ???? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ?????? ABP news ?? ???? ????????????? ????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????. The broadcaster, in its response dated 15.02.2021, stated that the incorrect spelling of the word “Maharashtra” aired in the telecast dated 30.4.2021 was rectified immediately by the channel. `

28.5.2021
NBSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast. NBSA noted that in view of the corrective action taken by the broadcaster, no further action was called for on the complaint. NBSA decided to close the complaint and inform the MoI&B and the broadcaster accordingly.