NEWS BROADCASTING AND DIGITAL STANDARDS AUTHORITY- NBDSA

1. Context 

2. NBDSA

• The NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters.
• It describes itself as "the Collective voice of the news, current affairs and digital broadcasters in India".

• Apart from presenting a unified front, it carries out activities "to promote, protect and secure the interest including the right of freedom of speech and expression of the news broadcasters, digital news media and other related entities".

• The Authority may initiate proceedings on its own and issue notice or take action concerning any matter which falls within its regulations.
• This can also be through complaints referred to the Authority by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting or any other government body, or by anyone else via its website.
• A "two-tier procedure is in place for redressing grievances, where any person aggrieved by the content of any broadcast is required to first make a complaint to the concerned broadcaster and if they are not satisfied by the redress, a complaint can be filed before the Authority.
• Those cases which have already been taken to court cannot be complained against.
• Within 14 days from the date of receipt of a complaint, the Authority will issue notice to the concerned broadcaster to show cause why action should not be taken under the regulations.
• An inquiry is held in which proof, documents and people can be called in by the authority.
• If the complainant or the respondent does not get back to the Authority, the complaint can be set aside.
• The NBDSA may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, warn, censure, express disapproval against and/or impose a fine upon the broadcaster.
• It can also recommend to the concerned authority for suspension/revocation of the license of such broadcaster.
• The fine imposed by the Authority shall not exceed Rs. 1 lakh and such fine shall be recovered from the concerned broadcaster.

7. Complaints 

7.1 NDTV

• The list of complaints and the decisions taken are available on the website and not all see action taken against them.
• For example, one complaint related to an NDTV broadcast in February, on a show that allegedly made "absurd, mischievous and malafide comments" over a government scheme to provide free foodgrains.
• The authority found the content of the broadcast fell within the realm of editorial discretion and there was no violation of its code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards, so the complaint was closed.

7.2 Zee channel

• Another complaint was over a show on the Zee channel, where an anchor discussed the criticism against the movie The Kashmir Files.
• The Complainant claimed, "Clear attempts were made in the programme to unduly influence the sentiments of viewers against a specific community whom the anchor repeatedly claimed do not want the truth of the Kashmiri pandits to come out.
•  On viewing the footage, NBDSA found no specific violation of the code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards or Guidelines in the broadcast and so no action was called for on the complaint.