CJP’s NBDSA Complaints 2023: A look at the repeated violation of ethics and guidelines by Indian television channels (CJP)

The concept of impartiality, neutrality and balance forms the cornerstone of journalism. Media personnel, especially those in television and video, have the power to reach and influence the minds of their audience, making a compelling argument for adherence to unbiased, sane and calm exploration of issues and choice of views, especially on contentious and important issues. Journalists play an active role in constructing a dominant narrative and hence bear a high responsibility to ensure that both inclusivism and rationality guides their approach.

Over the past decade especially, a disturbing trend has emerged with journalists and certain media channels portraying clear partisan coverage of issues, often resulting in persistent targeting of sections of Indians with slur and stigma. India’s religious minorities find themselves central to this emerging pattern. That this also enjoys powerful political sanction –given the predilections of the ruling dispensation – is not an insignificant aspect of this development. Not only are new organisations, founded to provide the public with an impartial and truthful picture of the world, faltering in their endeavours, but individual journalists and anchors have become offenders.

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA), set up in the year 2008, is a private association of various news broadcasters in India. The association was set up to deal with ethical, operational, regulatory, technical and legal issues affecting news and current-affairs channels. The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters Association. Its task is to consider and adjudicate upon complaints about broadcasts. Any complaint against the broadcasting of any news channel can be addressed to NBDSA.  To tackle the increasing instances of media personnel indulging in biased reporting and demonstrate a commitment towards responsible broadcasting, certain guidelines have been drawn up by the NBDSA.

This story was originally published in cjp.org.in. Read the full story here .