NBDSA pulls up Times Now Navbharat for violating Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has pulled up Times Now Navbharat for violating the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards pertaining to a programmed aired on the news channel on November 11, 2022, titled ‘Madrassa Jihad par bada khulasa, mazhabi taaleem ka 491 tantra’.

The complainant, Citizens for Justice and Peace, stated that the impugned show was based on a survey carried out by the Uttar Pradesh Government on Madrassas in certain districts of the State, wherein it was reportedly found that Bahraich city, which is close to the Nepal border, had 792 madrassas, out of which 491 were running “without license”.

A debate was conducted on the said issue, and during the programme, it was declared that something called “madrassa jihad” was taking place in Bahraich. The complainant stated that what the channel or the host meant by the term “madrassa jihad” was best known to them. In any case, using such terms was both denigrating and demeaning towards the Muslim community; it also perpetuated stereotypes that could create attitudes and actions that could cause harm and mischief. Further, the complainant also sought to know the ‘source’ of the impugned programme so that the same could be checked for its authenticity by the NBDSA.

The complaint stated that by airing the impugned programme, the broadcaster had violated Fundamental Principles Nos. 1,3,4 and 6 and the Principles of Self Regulation pertaining to Impartiality and Objectivity in reporting and Ensuring Neutrality under the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards. The impugned broadcast also violated the principles of Impartiality, Neutrality & Fairness and Racial & Religious Harmony under the Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage.

Meanwhile, Time Now Navbharat in its reply to the complaint stressed that it was not maintainable as the impugned debate/ news programme did not violate any Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards, rules, regulations, and guidelines.

The broadcaster vehemently denied that the intention of the channel was to spread stigma or hatred against the Muslim community. It further denied that a false anti-Muslim narrative was conspicuously created due to the reportage to add fuel to the existing, perpetuated animosity against a minority Indian community that has been widely prevalent.

NBDSA considered the captioned complaint with regard to the broadcast aired on Times Now Navbharat on 21.10.2022, response of the broadcaster and after viewing the footage of the broadcast, had decided to call both the parties for a hearing.

Decision

NBDSA considered the complaint, response from the broadcaster and also gave due consideration to the submissions of the complainant and the broadcaster and viewed the footage of the broadcast.

In its order, NBDSA said, “In the instant case, there would have been no issue if the broadcaster had factually reported on the illegalities in the running of some madrassas. However, in the impugned broadcast, the findings of the survey conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Government were used to allege that ‘Madrassa Jihad’ was taking place in the country, which created an impression that every madrassa is a breeding ground for terrorism and activities of similar nature. The tilt given to the findings of the survey was not only misleading, but was also violative of the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards and the Specific Guidelines covering Reportage relating to Racial and Religious Harmony.”

NBDSA decided to issue a warning to the broadcaster directing it to be more careful in future while airing such broadcasts. The Authority further also directed the broadcaster to remove the video of the said broadcast, if still available on the website of the channel, or YouTube, and remove all hyperlinks, including access which should be confirmed to NBDSA in writing within 7 days of the Order.

NBDSA decided to close the complaint with the above observations and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly.