NBDSA takes action against Aaj Tak, Times Now Navbharat, for 'fictional video' on Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi: In a recent development, the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has issued directives to Aaj Tak, Times Now Navbharat, and News18 India for violating broadcasting standards in separate cases. The regulatory body addressed concerns related to defamation and content targeting communities, resulting in fines and removal orders.
A year ago, Aaj Tak anchor Sudhir Chaudhary presented a fictional story on his primetime show, Black and White, insinuating connections between a highway dacoit and Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case. The NBDSA, responding to a complaint by Youth Congress president Srinivas BV, stated that the "story of the robber and the imputation it carried" with Gandhi’s conviction was “not in good taste” and “should have been avoided.” The channel has been instructed to remove the "fictional video" from its website and social media accounts. The NBDSA also advised Aaj Tak to exercise caution when airing such fictional content in the future.
The “fictional video” mentioned in Srinivas’s complaint is an animation aired in the Black and White episode on March 24 last year, a day after a Surat court convicted Rahul of defamation for a 2019 speech about thieves with the surname “Modi”.
In the episode, Chaudhary referred to a tweet by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and said both Priyanka and the Congress party were defending Rahul in the name of inaction on bigger criminals.
He said in Hindi, “Iss mamle mein Rahul Gandhi ka bachav karte hue, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra aur Congress party ye tark de rahe hein ki aur bhi logon ne toh itne apradh kiye hain iss desh mein. Lekin karawahi sirf Rahul Gandhi ke khilaf kyun ho rahi hain.”
Subsequently, he gave a disclaimer in Hindi: “Aaj hum apko ek chhoti si kahani sunana chahte hain. Isse kisi ke saath jod kar mat dekhiyega.” Loosely translating to, “Today, I will tell you a short story. Do not link it with any person.”
He narrated the fictional story of a dacoit who named Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi and Mehul Choksi as “bigger criminals” in an attempt to get away with his crime. While Chaudhary narrated the story, the animations showed a man looting people with a gun and then being caught by the police.
The anchor concluded, “Dusre logon ke apradh gina kar khud ke apradh kum nahi kar sakte. Lekin Congress party aisa hi kar rahi hain. By counting other’s crimes, one cannot reduce their own crime. But the Congress party is doing just that,” said Chaudhary.
In another instance, the NBDSA fined Times Now Navbharat Rs 1 lakh and News18 India Rs 50,000, while issuing a warning to Aaj Tak for content targeting the Muslim community. The channels were directed to take down the violative content.
While the NBDSA acknowledged the disclaimer, it noted that the video was "not in good taste" and "should have been avoided." The regulatory body emphasized that, despite no violation of defamation standards, the channel should remove the fictional video.
The NBDSA also addressed the issue of content targeting communities, particularly the use of the term "love jihad." The regulatory body imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on Times Now Navbharat, Rs 50,000 on News18 India, and issued a warning to Aaj Tak. These actions came in response to a complaint by Indrajeet Ghorpade, who raised concerns about hate and misinformation on TV news.
The NBDSA stated that the term "love jihad" must be used with great introspection, emphasizing that religious stereotyping violates the Code of Ethics and can erode the secular fabric of the country. The broadcasting body condemned reportage causing harm to communities and promoting religious intolerance.
After a year-long legal struggle, a victory has been secured!
— Srinivas BV (@srinivasiyc) February 29, 2024
Finally, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority found the propaganda video by @aajtak's Sarkari Anchor @sudhirchaudhary to be fictional & not in good taste and issued an order to delete the video from all… https://t.co/1jBIc6ph5L pic.twitter.com/IElctALlvt
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Davangere: Two policemen injured in stone pelting during Ganesha procession
Davangere: Reports state that two groups engaged in stone pelting at each other during Ganesha idol immersion ceremony in Davangere on Thursday. Two police personnel were injured in the incident.
Few days ago, two groups of youth engaged in verbal altercation regarding raising of a flag for Eid Milad celebration. On account of the clashes, police had heightened security for the Ganesha procession. Despite the additional security, stones were pelted at the procession, sources stated. Inspector Gururaj and constable Raghavendra were injured in the incident. The procession continued after the police brought the situation to control. However, the stone pelting resumed once again as the procession surged forwards.
Security has been tightened up in the area and all shops have been closed down by the police. The two police personnel, who were injured in the stone pelting, are undergoing treatment at a hospital.
