Decisions

S.NO Channel Complainant Date of Broadcast Complaint Decisions
S.NO 631. Channel Zee News Complainant Dr. P. Gulati, Sr. Consultant Urologist & Transplant Surgeon Date of Broadcast 19.8.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding death of a patient in Medanta Hospital. The complainant objected/observed that the news item had blatantly called the private hospitals as "loot ke adde", or “den of thieves”. The complainant alleged that it was biased, errant and malafide reporting. The channel had put out an apology of an attempt for hospital's version, saying that they were unavailable. Merely focusing on the galleries and lobbies of the hospital counters did not mean that the accused party had had an opportunity to stand for itself. The reporters had flouted the rule of impartiality in reporting by being libelous not only against a hospital but against a profession as a whole.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA considered the complaint (which had been preferred by a doctor not from Medanta Hospital nor related to the family of the deceased), the reply given by the channel, the further response given by the complainant and also viewed the CD which contained the programme in question. The NBSA also viewed the unedited version of the interview of Dr Naresh Trehan, which was aired by the channel where he explained all the actions that had been taken by the hospital to save the patient in question who was admitted in their hospital. NBSA noted that since the broadcaster had given ample air time to telecast the unedited version of Dr Trehan’s interview, which gave all the details that the hospital would have wanted to share with the viewers, no further action was required to be taken in the matter. The complaint was closed.

S.NO 632. Channel Zee News Complainant Dr. Manisha Ghate Date of Broadcast 10.7.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding telecasting the news of a doctor & hospital. The complainant stated that she had objection of telecasting repeatedly her hospital & her sign Board on Zee News under the title Female foeticide.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA decided that since there was no further communication from the complainant, it appears that the complainant was satisfied with the response received from the broadcaster; and the matter be closed.

S.NO 633. Channel NDTV India Complainant Mr. Arvind Khosla Date of Broadcast 1.6.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding programme titled “Badi Khabar”. The complainant stated that one of the panelists, Mr. Anand Pradhan, on the said programme expressed some views which he differed with and against whom he’d like to file a complaint. His statement that “BJP’s raising the issue of free flow of River Ganga & increasing the tenure of Amarnath Yatra amounts to politics of hatred & communalism” was unlawful according to the complainant.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA noted that could take not action under its regulations in respect of what was clearly an “opinion” given by a panelist in a “live show”. If the complainant was offended, he could take recourse to the law of the land. The complaint was closed.

S.NO 634. Channel Times Now Complainant NA Date of Broadcast 10.8.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding prime time programme titled “Harassment of minorities by Pakistan at Wagah Border” regarding a false and misleading statement by Mr. Arnab Goswami in which he stated “in every state in India have quota in Govt. job for Muslims”.The complainant alleged that the said statement had given an impression to the viewers that in “every state in India Muslims were given job reservation” which was not true and thus promoted enmity between majority community and Muslims on the basis of religion. The complainant desired that the statement be corrected and the regret for the same be broadcast.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA considered the complaint and the reply dated 7.9.2012 given by the broadcaster and noted that since the response was sent only on 7.9.2012, it may be ascertained from the broadcaster if the complainant had sent any further mail on the subject. If the broadcaster confirms the matter be closed.

S.NO 635. Channel IBN 7 Complainant Mr. Amit Gupta Date of Broadcast 29.8.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding killing of Muslims in Narodia Patia. The complainant stated that in the news item it was described that how Babu Bajrangi killed the Muslim in Narodia Patia in a manner which could spread hate and communal violence.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA noted that since there was no further communication from the complainant, it appears that the complainant was satisfied with the response received from the broadcaster; and the matter be closed.

S.NO 636. Channel IBN 7 Complainant Dr. Javed Akhter Siddiqui Date of Broadcast 17.7.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding a programme in which wrong facts were shown. The news item pertained to law and order problem in Amroha Town in Dist: Jyotibaphuley Nagar due to Electricity shortage issue, where as no such incident happened in Amroha town of Dist: J.P.Nagar The complainant alleged that the incident shown in the news clip happened in another Hasanpur town of district J.P.Nagar.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA noted that the complainant was satisfied with the response received from the broadcaster; and the matter be closed.

S.NO 637. Channel CNN IBN Complainant Mr. Eric Pinto Date of Broadcast Complaint

The complaint was regarding Anna Hazare. The complainant alleged that the channel had been putting out Anna Hazare's version and speeches without the counterview. This was biased reporting. The channel should inform viewers about all aspects of the issue.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA that since there was no further communication from the complainant, it appeared that the complainant was satisfied with the response received from the broadcaster; and the matter be closed.

S.NO 638. Channel Aaj Tak Complainant Mr. Tanveer Shaikh Date of Broadcast 7.8.2012 Complaint

The complaint was regarding programme titled “Chaand Ke Paar Fize – Vaardaat” telecasted on the channel. It was alleged that the programme was totally misguided and destructive towards marriage as a social concept by highlighting unethical practices with encouraging words and images of Mr.Chaand and late Fizaa.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA noted that well regarded 24x7 national news channels should devote their precious airtime on better quality programming, addressing issues that were more relevant and substantial instead of issues that perhaps cater only to idle curiosity or inquisitiveness of a segment of viewers, apparently to garner TRPs. NBSA decided that this view of the NBSA be communicated to the broadcaster. The complaint was closed.

S.NO 639. Channel Aaj Tak Complainant Mr. B. Mehta Date of Broadcast Complaint

The complaint was regarding programme titled “Pappu Baba” in “Vaardat”. The complainant alleged that the comments on the poor man were disturbing. The commentary was very biased and there was ignorance on part of the commentator.

Decisions

17.9.2012
NBSA noted that there were far too may programmes being telecast by news channels, especially Hindi channels, in which undue airtime was being devoted to Godmen who were promoting superstition and blind belief, thereby violating the Code of Ethics & Guidelines issued by NBSA. It was decided to draw up specific guidelines on such coverage.

S.NO 640. Channel News18 Bihar/Jharkhand Complainant Prof. Arun Kumar Date of Broadcast 6.6.2012 Complaint

The complainant drew the attention of the words used in the news telecast on the channel which stated "????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ?? ?? ?? ??? ??? Science & Technology ?? ??????". Despite lodging a complaint the same was repeated many times. Also his interview in the month of April 2012 with the Additional Chief Secretary was also shown. He stated that he was working as Director, Department of Science and Technology and the inevitable effect of unverified news has damaged his reputation, image and career.

Decisions

20.8.2012
NBSA decided to call the broadcaster and the complainant for a hearing. NBSA noted that prior to the hearing, vide letter dated 13.8.2012 the complainant had informed NBSA that he had no grievance as the broadcaster had re-telecast the story with his version and with all the facts. Accordingly, NBSA decided to close the matter.