Through two orders passed by the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority on February 28, the Authority has imposed fines of Rs. 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively in two separate complaints filed by CJP against the channel for airing two inflammatory and communally divisive shows.
The first such divisive telecast was titled ‘‘Desh nahi jhukne denge – Hinduo ke khilaf mahagathbandhan’’ was aired on January 18, 2022 and the other “Desh Nahin Jhukne Denge Aman Chopra के साथ” aired on October 4, 2022.
Both shows were hosted by Aman Chopra.
The show aired in January 2022 pitched Hindu voters against Muslim voters via an inflammatory narrative. The channel has been imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 for this telecast. The narrative became clear when the following tickers were displayed throughout the show’s running:
“15% Muslim 85% Hindu par bhari” (15% Muslims overshadow 85% Hindus)
“Jab Yogi Modi chale jayenge, tumhe kaun bachayega?” (When Yogi-Modi leave, who will save you?)
“Hinduon ke khilaf sab mil gaye hai?” (Everyone has colluded against the Hindus?)
The NBDSA observed in this order that the thrust of the programme had religious undertones and that it was communally polarizing. The Authority has thus imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000 and directed the channel to display NBDSA’s order once every hour for 24 hours between March 6 and March 7. Significantly, the NBDSA has also ordered removal of the video of the show from the channel’s website as well as YouTube and all hyperlinks including access.
It 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 seven days of the Order.
Apart from CJP that was the main complainant, Mr Anuj Dubey had also filed a second complaint.
The Order of the NBDSA:
Continuing with its divisive and anti-Muslim agenda, the channel, News18 aired another show against which CJP filed a complaint, in October 2022. In this show, Chopra was seen visibly cheering the Gujarat Police for beating men publicly with a stick for allegedly having pelted stones at a garba event. The same incident for which an inquiry has been instituted against the police officers in question. Through the entire “debate”, the members of the panel brought into question not just the various principles of Islam as a religion but also mocked speakers belonging to the Muslim community by asking them to hail Hindus gods on national television. Against this show, Mr. Indrajeet Ghorpade had also filed a complaint.
News18 was fined Rs. 25000 over the inflammatory and contentious contents of this second debate show “Desh Nahin Jhukne Denge Aman Chopra के साथ” aired on October 4, 2022 hosted by Aman Chopra
The complainant(s) had argued that the show in question, was an example of a brazen display of hatred towards one community merely over questioning their entry into Navratra garba pandals. Through the entire debate, the panellists brought into question not just the various principles of Islam as a religion but also mocked speakers belonging to the Muslim community by asking them to hail Hindus gods on national television.
The Authority 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 seven days of the Order.
NBDSA, in its order further also noted that the impugned broadcast emanated from a viral video from Khera district of Gujarat, which showed a few men being publicly flogged for allegedly pelting stones at a garba event. The order also observed that the i programme in question was interspersed with statements made by the anchor which targeted, vilified and castigated the entire Muslim community for the actions of a few miscreants.
Significantly, too, the Order has observed that the tickers which were aired during the impugned broadcast, raised rhetorical questions, thereby reinforcing the narrative created by the broadcaster and gave the impression that all Muslim men attended garba celebrations only with ulterior motives.
In this second order, the NBDSA observed that the police failed to condemn the unlawful police violence. It further held that generalised statements about the Muslim community were also made through the show thus violating the guidelines and Code of Ethics set out by the Authority. The Authority has thus imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 on the channel and has directed that the video of the show be removed from the website and YouTube as well as all hyperlinks including access.
The Order of the NBDSA: