The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has fined some TV channels and directed them to remove them from their websites for programs “spreading hatred and communal disharmony”.
NBDSA said that these programs are not right. NBDSA has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on ‘TimesNow Navbharat’ and Rs 50,000 on ‘News18 India’ for news programs based on “Love Jihad”, based on complaints by activist Indrajit Ghorpade.
Right-wing activists use the term ‘love jihad’ to accuse Muslim men of conspiring to convert Hindu women by luring them into marriage.
NBDSA has warned Aaj Tak channel regarding its coverage of violence targeting a particular community on Ram Navami.
NBDSA Chairman Justice (Retd) A. Of. In the orders issued by Sikri, the three channels have been asked to remove the online versions of the programs within seven days. NBDSA said in a statement that the term “love jihad” should be used with “comprehensive introspection” as religious fundamentalism is a violation of the code of conduct and can vitiate the secular fabric of the country.
The statement said such news “causes irreparable harm to any community and creates religious intolerance or disharmony.”
Passing a separate order on the complaint of Youth Congress chief Srinivas Bivi, NBDSA warns Aaj Tak for airing a “fictitious video” depicting a robber in a case related to the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the “Modi alias” case .
NBDSA advised Aaj Tak to exercise caution while broadcasting such videos and directed to remove the said video from its website and YouTube channel from the program related to Gandhi’s sentencing.
In another order, NBDSA imposed a fine of Rs 75,000 on Aaj Tak for a program related to a statement by former US President Barack Obama about minorities in India.
NBDSA said linking Obama’s statement to Khalistani separatists is a gross misrepresentation and violates the principles of impartiality and neutrality.