NBSA reprimands three TV channels over Tablighi Jamaat reports

The National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), appearing on complaints filed by the Bengaluru-based Campaign Against Hate Speech (CAHS), has reprimanded three tv channels — Times Now, TV18 Kannada, and Suvarna News — over reports that “targeted Tablighi Jamaat members” in the course of the pandemic in 2020.

The CAHS had taken objection to 2 programmes aired by TV18 Kannada on April 1, 2020, on Tablighi Jamaat. In his order, Justice A.K. Sikri (retd.), chairperson of NBSA, famous, “… the manner in which the programmes were presented was highly objectionable. The news report was based on pure conjecture. The tone, tenor and language was crass, prejudiced and disrespectful…”

The NBSA has imposed a positive of ₹1 lakh on the broadcaster payable to the National Broadcasters Association (NBA) and directed it to run an apology on air on June 23 for violating the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards. The authority has additionally requested the broadcaster to take down movies of the 2 programmes from all net portals.

Acting on a criticism towards seven programmes aired by Suvarna News between May 31 and April 4, 2020, the NBSA famous in its order, “The entire blame/cause of the spread of the coronavirus was linked to the Tablighi Jamaat and, in turn, to a particular community. The titles of the programmes had an insidious effect which would incite communal violence…” It additionally famous that “there was certainly a lack of balance, objectivity and impartiality in the programmes” and so they “were overtly prejudiced against a particular religion”. The NBSA has imposed a positive of ₹50,000 on the broadcaster, payable to the NBA, and requested it to take down the movies from public boards.

Over a criticism towards a panel dialogue “Is Tablighi Jamaat wilfully sabotaging India?”, aired on April 2, 2020, the NBSA has issued a censure to Times Now “for telecasting such a programme on a sensitive issue which could create communal dissension amongst communities”. Justice A.K. Sikri, in his order, acknowledged, “The anchor of the programme made certain statements relating to the Tablighi Jamaat which were violative of the fundamental principles mentioned above [accuracy, impartiality, neutrality, and objectivity].”