Zee News headlines in clear violation of Code of Ethics and broadcasting guidelines: NBDSA

In its decision on multiple complaints registered against Zee News' coverage of the farmers protests, the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) noted that certain headlines and taglines used by the channel were in violation of existing norms..The order was passed by NBDSA Chairperson Justice (retired) AK Sikri on November 19 on complaints filed against the channel by one Indrajeet Ghorpade..Some of the contentious headlines mentioned by the complainant, which were found in violation of the NBDSA's Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards as well as specific reportage guidelines, were: "Civil War on Republic Day", "Conspiracy of a War against the republic", "Terror Tractor-Trailers in the protest", "Tractors are modified into armoured vehicles", "Khalistan dominates the protest", "Plan Khalistan for insurgence against the Republic".These were broadcast along with statements by anchors alleging Khalistan sympathisers' backing behind the protests and marches by the farmers before Republic Day, the complaint noted. It added that the motive behind such programming, which also included a video from Germany of modified tractors, was to 'hinder the cause' of the protests and to create "undue fear and distress" among viewers..Another complaint by Ghorpade had noted that the channel had accused farmers of insulting the National Flag at the Red Fort by replacing it with the Nishan Sahib flag. The complainant alleged that the flag which was removed was most likely one of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU). These complaints were escalated to the NBDSA after the channel did not reply to the complainant asking for removal of content and an apology, even after the stipulated period of a week. .In its initial response, Zee News denied all the allegations and called the complaint "false" and "motivated", saying that it was not even in the ascribed format and ought to be dismissed. In response to specific complaints to the NBDSA, the broadcaster said that it had no intention of creating panic among the general public or to sensationalise the farmers' agitation. The broadcaster cited a video by Sikhs for Justice calling for electricity to be cut in the capital, and how the organisation itself had been banned by the government. It said that one of the programmes mentioned in the complaint was a debate where panellists from all sides were called and the show was held fairly. With respect to the German tractor video, it said that the same was aired with necessary disclaimers that the channel is not liable for its authenticity. Regarding the coverage of the national flag being insulted at the Red Fort, it said that calling the BKU flag the Indian one was a matter of oversight on live television and not a communal issue. .In his response to the NBDSA on Zee's reply, the complainant pointed out that the channel had, despite removing the wrong content, failed to broadcast a clarification/apology with the correct version of facts as per the existing guidelines. The channel, it was stated, had continued promoting incorrect content even after being called out by fact-checkers. Further, there was no cognisable evidence till date in support of Zee News' claims of there being a Khalistani angle behind the protests..Hearing and the NBDSA's decisionsOn May 28, the NBDSA asked the two parties to appear for a hearing, which was held on September 29. Both sides in their submissions reiterated their earlier statements with respect to compliance with ethical and broadcasting standards. The complainant further added that the terror narrative carried by Zee was to the detriment of the society.The broadcaster, at the hearing, submitted that the channel was removing all primary and subsidiary links of the videos in the complaint. The NBDSA, in its final decision, noted that many channels had inadvertently identified the Nishan Sahib flag as being the National Flag and asked that due care and caution be exercised in this regard. It asked the channel to remove all the videos concerned across platforms, which were found to be in violation of existing codes and guidelines, and to give in writing about the compliance with the same within seven days of receiving the order. It noted that the submissions and observations part of the order are not intended to be 'admissions' or 'findings' with respect to any legal liability. .Read Order: