NBDSA pulls up India Today for anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric; issues guidelines for sensitive reporting

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has released a slew of guidelines urging media platforms to disseminate information regarding the LGBTQIA+ community with sensitivity and objectivity..NBDSA Chairperson Justice (retd) AK Sikri directed India Today to expunge objectionable remarks made against the community in a broadcast or remove the video totally within seven days. One of the guidelines issued in the order stated,"Broadcasters must avoid broadcasting any news which sensationalizes the issues related to LGBTQIA+ community, perpetuates stereotypes or creates undue fear in respect of the community.".The complainant, Indrajeet Ghorpade, lodged a grievance against a program aired by India Today titled Nudity sparks outrage at USA pride parades - How India's LGBTQ+ lead Responsibly, alleging that it was replete with factual inaccuracies and was intended to spread fear against and demonize LGBTQ+ people."In the broadcast, an image from NYC Pride 2023 was shown, to falsely claim that it has "unnecessary nudity" even though no nudity was visible in the image," the complaint stated..In its order, NBDSA issued guidelines to be followed by its members, including:Broadcasters must refrain from using any expression or slurs which may be construed as Hate Speech against the LGBIQIA + community. While reporting any issue concerning the LGBTQIA+ community, broadcasters must ensure that reporting does not promote homophobia or transphobia or negative stereotypes about the LGBTQIA+ community.Broadcasters must respect the privacy of LGBIQIA+ individuals and not disclose the personal information, including gender identity or sexual orientation of a person without their consent.Broadcasters while reporting on any member of the LGBTQIA+ community must endeavor to use inclusive and gender-neutral language, respect the individuals' preferred pronouns and names.As far as possible, broadcasters while reporting on any issue concerning the LGBTQIA+ community must strive for diverse representation and ensure that voices from different segments of the LGBTQIA+ community are provided a platform to express their views..It went on to observe that there would have been no problem if the broadcast had merely reported the concerns of some conservative groups and parents.“...since news channels have a potent influence on public opinion, it would have been better for the broadcaster to have informed the viewers that "grooming groups" was a negative stereotype which was part of the anti LGBIQIA+ rhetoric...using visuals and images totally out of context, which were not part of the incident covered was a violation of the principle of accuracy as enshrined under the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards," noted NBDSA..NBDSA further advised broadcasters to use factually correct images and ensure strict adherence to the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards in future broadcasts.Advocate Vrinda Bhandari represented India Today..[Read Order]