NBDSA cautions Zee News, Times Now, News18, NDTV over broadcasts which alleged 'food jihad', 'thook jihad'

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) recently passed a series of orders cautioning television news channels over the use of the term “jihad” in reporting on isolated criminal allegations.

NBDSA Chairperson Justice AK Sikri passed the decisions on complaints alleging that certain news programmes aired by Zee News, Times Now Navbharat, News18 India and NDTV India used expressions such as “food jihad”, “thook jihad”, and “QR code jihad” while reporting.

The complaints were filed by advocates Utkarsh Mishra, Indrajeet Ghorpade and Matin Mujawar .

According to Mishra, working with the Institute of Perception Studies, they identified up to a total of 465 broadcasts promoting these theories across multiple channels.

The programmes in question related to distinct incidents, including allegations of food contamination, spitting in food, misrepresentation of identity by a restaurant owner, and a QR code donation appeal following violence in Sambhal.

In each case, the complainant contended that the use of the term “jihad” gave a communal colour to individual acts without supporting material.

The complaints alleged violations of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards, including provisions relating to impartiality, accuracy, communal harmony and the avoidance of content that could promote disharmony or target a particular community.

Observing a recurring pattern in television reportage, the NBDSA remarked,

“NBDSA noted that it had received several complaints over the years regarding the use of the term ‘jihad’ by various channels while reporting on issues pertaining to a specific community.”

In one of the matters concerning Zee News, the NBDSA examined a broadcast relating to an incident in Kanpur where a restaurant owner was accused of serving non-vegetarian food in a vegetarian establishment while allegedly concealing his identity.

The programme aired tickers referring to “food jihad” and questioned whether the act formed part of a larger pattern.

After reviewing the content, NBDSA held that reporting on the alleged incident was permissible. The contention, however, arose from the characterisation of it as a form of “jihad” in the absence of material linking it to any organised or ideological motive.

NBDSA noted that tagging a solitary allegation with such a loaded term risked giving it a wider communal "flavour".

“The aforesaid act of an individual should not have been generalised and treated as 'jihad' without any credible evidence or material to support the same... it was not proper to frame the solitary and stray incident as a form of jihad without any supporting material... The broadcaster should exercise some restraint in giving such incidents a broader communal flavour and should not jump to conclusions in the absence of any supporting material, as these may cause communal disharmony,” said NBDSA.

In its February 17 order, it cautioned Zee News against such framing and directed that the objectionable portions be edited or removed within seven days.

In another order concerning a Zee News programme titled “Sambhal Hinsa ke baad QR Code Jihaad”, NBDSA examined coverage of an individual who allegedly posed as a journalist and sought donations through a QR code after violence in Sambhal district. The broadcast described the episode as “QR Code Jihad”.

NBDSA observed that the incident was a matter of public interest and that factual reporting was justified. However, it held that there was no reason to invoke the term “jihad” in that context.

NBDSA held,

“There was no reason to invoke the term "Jihad" in reference to the incident... NBDSA is of the opinion that the term 'Jihad' should not be applied casually, as it has certain connotations and ramifications, and therefore, there must be strong reasons for using such a term."

Zee News had argued that the expression was part of public discourse and had been used by political figures.

However, the NBDSA noted that no such attribution was made during the programme. The channel was cautioned and directed to remove the offending portion.

In a separate complaint against Times Now Navbharat, the programme had referred to alleged incidents of individuals spitting in food as “thook jihad”.

The broadcaster informed NBDSA that the term had been used once and that the broadcast was removed after receipt of the complaint.

Taking note of this, NBDSA decided not to examine the content further and advised the channel to exercise caution in future.

Upon reviewing other aired broadcasts presented before it from news channels including Zee Uttar Pradesh, Zee Bharat, News18 India and NDTV India, NBDSA recorded a recurring pattern in the use of the term "jihad" in reports concerning a specific community.

“Considering the increasing reliance on such terminology, NBDSA was of the view that it had become imperative to lay down “Guidelines in respect of the usage of the term jihad”, which the Members must bear in mind while broadcasting and/or publishing any news. These Guidelines would be in addition to the Guidelines already issued and previous Orders passed by NBDSA on the subject," stated NBDSA.

While the guidelines are yet to be issued, NBDSA in these matters issued repeated cautions to broadcasters without imposing any monetary penalties.

[Read Orders]