NBSA imposes fine on ABP News, Aaj Tak for violating code of ethics; rejects complaint against NDTV 24×7

The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) has imposed a fine on Hindi news channels ABP News and Aaj Tak for violating code of ethics. In another case, the authority has rejected a complaint against NDTV 24×7 regarding a sting operation carried out in August 2014.

The authority has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh each on ABP News and Aaj Tak for revealing the identity of the victim in the Rewari gang rape case. It noted that the two channels had violated the code of ethics by providing description of the victim.

The complaint against ABP News was filed by Dr. Vikash Bharadwaj while Ishani Goyal was the complainer against Aaj Tak. ABP News was accused of revealing the victims identity through its telecast on 14th September 2018 while ABP had done so on 17th September 2018.

The hearing in the matter had taken place on 17th January 2019. In their submissions, ABP News and Aaj Tak had argued that the girl child who had achieved great laurels in academics has become a victim of a heinous crime. In that context, the news reports mentioned that the victim was a CBSE topper and had received an award from the President of India.

However, the authority is of the view that by revealing the identity of the rape victim, the two channels have violated the “Code of Ethics, the principles of self-regulation No 4. Depiction of violence or intimidation against women and children”.

It also noted that the news reports have also violated the guidelines on reportage of cases of Sexual Assault dated 7.3.2018, which also state that news channels must take special note of the provisions of section 228A of Indian Penal Code 1860 and of section 21 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 which provide for protection of the identity of victims of sexual offences and of juveniles in conflict with the law.

Besides imposing a fine of Rs. 1 lakh, the authority issued a warning to ABP News and Aaj Tak that any further violation would be viewed seriously and action would be taken against the broadcaster.

It has also asked ABP and Aaj Tak to remove the video or link of said programme and to exercise care, caution and discretion in future while formulating news stories relating to the depiction of violence or intimidation against women and children and victims of sexual offences.

In the third matter, the authority rejected the complaint filed against NDTV S sting operation which highlighted the nexus between Pharma companies and Doctors in August 2014. The complaint was filed by D. Raj Kumar Lalwani following which both the parties were heard on 17th January 2019.

Dr Lalwani had claimed that the news report was distorted and edited to suit the channel’s view point. He further said that the report posted in public domain is still continuing to be a cause of defamation and has affected his image and future employment.

NDTV argued that the purpose of the sting operation was to expose the nexus between doctors and pharma companies. The broadcaster submitted that the said sting operation was conducted only in conformity with the relevant guidelines.

It stated that the broadcasting segment exposing the nexus between doctors and pharmaceutical companies, was done on the basis of sting operation and availability of evidence (Audio-Visual evidence on conversation between Doctors and Pharmaceutical Company), and it was not a fake. The broadcaster stated that the intention behind sting operation was to protect the people and not to defame a person.

After considering the contentions put forth by the parties, NBSA was of view that NDTV has not violated the NBSA guideline for conducting sting operations and complaint was rejected.

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