NBA irked by AAP's charges, terms them as unverified

In a fallout between two the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the NBA has objected the unproven, unsubstantiated and highly defamatory charges that were being levelled against news channels by the leader of the party Arvind Kejriwal and the members of the party attributing corrupt motives and accusing the electronic media for not giving enough coverage or ignoring this or that party, without specific details to substantiate such charges. If one may note, is may come as a strange incident since the same party that gained immensely from media coverage and are today turning against the electronic media, when they are under scrutiny on issues of governance.

In a statement issued to publications, the NBA read that the association is equally shocked by the statement of the Home Minister of India that 'he would crush the electronic media and that a “close watch” was being kept on them'.

NBA categorically stated that "a news channel’s endeavour is to cover news worthy events across all segments of national and international life and to present news to viewers which is current and relevant. The media provides a service that is essential for any democratic society. This is particularly important when the most fundamental aspect of a democracy, the elections, are round the corner. At such a time, the media plays an indispensable role in enabling citizens to stay well informed and make important choices. There can be no acceptable reason for attacking the media on frivolous unsubstantiated grounds. Intimidation and preventing the media from performing its duties amounts to interfering with the freedoms enshrined in and guaranteed by the Constitution".

in conclusion, the NBA has appealed to political leaders from all parties and public figures not to level baseless charges against the media and keep the discourse civil and sane.