NBDSA Directs News18 Rajasthan To Take Down Broadcast Where Its Guest Panelist Linked Tirupati Laddu Adulteration To Congress Party

The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has directed TV news channel News 18 Rajasthan to remove within seven days from all its platforms the broadcast footage where a guest panelist had linked the alleged adulteration of Tirupati Laddu to the Congress party. The body in its order noted that the overall tone of the broadcast seemed to be less about seeking accountability for adulteration instead it provided the panelist–Swami Dipankar, with a platform to air his views which deviated from the intended subject for the interview.The order was passed on a complaint made by Indrajeet Ghorpade against a broadcast aired by the channel on September 21, 2024. The complainant had questioned the broadcaster as to why it was "spreading fake news that animal fat in Tirupati Balaji temple Prasadam Laddu is a Congress Party conspiracy". He claimed that this goes against accuracy, objectivity, neutrality and fairness. After reviewing the broadcast NBDSA in its order noted a discrepancy and observed: "Upon review of the footage of the impugned broadcast, NBDSA observed a discrepancy. While the title of the impugned broadcast “Tirupati Laddu Animal Fat Row : Tirupati के प्रसाद मेंबीफ, Congress का बड़ा षड्यंत्र .....” had been revised to “Tirupati Laddu Animal Fat Row : Tirupati के प्रसाद मेंबीफ, क्या बोलेस्वामी दीपांकर? | N18V” as stated by the broadcaster in its response, the broadcast itself had not been revised, as the anchor could be seen questioning the interviewee as to whether the adulteration in the Prasadam Laddu was a conspiracy against the Hindus," the order states."While the anchor had raised questions concerning the responsibility of the current administration and trust members, the overall tone of the broadcast seemed to be less about seeking accountability for the ghee adulteration; instead, the broadcast provided the interviewee with a platform to expound his views on the Sanatan Dharma, which was a deviation from the intended subject for the interview," it added. NBDSA thereafter advised the broadcaster to bear in mind the Specific Guidelines for Anchor conducting Programmes, including Debates, while inviting any person as an interviewee in its broadcast.It asked the broadcaster to adhere to the Specific Guidelines covering Reportage, under which “Facts should be clearly distinguishable from, and not be mixed-up with opinion, analysis and comment.”, while reporting/discussing any subject.It found that contrary to broadcaster's submission that it had removed the interview from its portal/channel, the broadcast appeared to be still available on the broadcaster's YouTube channel."in view of the same NBDSA directs the broadcaster to remove the video from all platforms, including from YouTube within 7 days from the receipt of the decision and inform NBDSA accordingly," the body directed. The broadcaster had meanwhile in its response said that in the discussion on the channel 'News18 Rajasthan' with Swami Dipankar, the anchor had posed several questions. During the interview, the interviewee had responded to these inquiries and shared his insights."Amongst various other responses, he also expressed the view that the Indian National Congress Party bore some responsibility for the controversy surrounding the Prasadam Laddu, which had garnered significant public attention. His responses and statements were his own, made independently without the channel's or anchor's endorsement or influence. In fact, during the interview, the anchor frequently questioned Swamiji why the current administration and trust members should not be held accountable for the situation. Given that allegations of ghee adulteration have been raised on multiple occasions in the past, they should have exercised greater caution. Therefore, the anchor was completely neutral and non-partisan in conducting the interview and, in the interest of balanced and fair reporting, actively challenged statements regarding the Congress party's responsibility for the issue at hand. Any claims to the contrary were firmly denied. The broadcast strictly adhered to all relevant rules, regulations, guidelines, and applicable laws. Also, it had revised/updated the title of the interview and its thumbnail. However, this action was taken completely without prejudice to the broadcaster's rights and contentions and without admitting any of the allegations made in the complaint, all of which are firmly denied," the channel submitted in its reply.Click Here To Read/Download Order

NBDSA Directs News18 Rajasthan To Take Down Broadcast Where Its Guest Panelist Linked Tirupati Laddu Adulteration To Congress Party

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NBDSA Directs News18 Rajasthan To Take Down Broadcast Where Its Guest Panelist Linked Tirupati Laddu Adulteration To Congress Party

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