#communalmedia

The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (#NBDA) on February 28 imposed fines of Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 in two separate complaints filed by Citizens for Justice and Peace (#CJP) against the channel for airing two inflammatory and communally divisive programmes, anchored by #AmanChopra.

The first 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 ke saath” aired on October 4, 2022. Both shows were hosted by Aman Chopra.

The #NBDA, formerly known as News Broadcasters Association, represents the private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters. Its website claims that the body is the collective voice of the news, current affairs and digital broadcasters in India.

The complaint was filed by one Indrajeet Ghorpade on October 6, 2022, alleging that on October 4, 2022, in the show, the channel celebrated police violence by calling it ‘police ki Dandiya’.

Justice AK Sikri observed that the show under scanner was interspersed with statements made by the anchor, Aman Chopra, which targeted, vilified and castigated the entire Muslim community for the actions of a few miscreants, according to the Bar and Bench.

Sikri said that the channel aired visuals glorifying the public flogging of Muslims in Gujarat, and also unfairly declared the subjects of the violence to be guilty of pelting stones at a Garba event. Aman Chopra was anchored, ‘Desh Nahi Jhukne Denge’, programme wherein he allegedly dehumanized the debate. The anchor allegedly connected stone pelting with ‘jihad’ and generalized negative statements about young Muslim men. Sikri claimed that the channel had tarnished the image of the Muslim community.

The show aired on January 18 pitched Hindu voters against Muslim voters via an inflammatory narrative, according to CPJ. Giving details, the CPJ said that 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?)

After going through the displays and contents, the NBDSA observed that the thrust of the show had religious undertones and thus imposed a fine of Rs. 50,000. It directed the channel to display NBDSA’s order once every hour for 24 hours between March 6 and March 7. The broadcasting body 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, as per CPJ report.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM