The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), a private association of different news broadcasters in India is openly acting in an obnoxiously discriminatory manner towards Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV. This clearly shows how the NBSA is catering to certain vested interests. It seems that the NBSA is working for a particular ideology instead of independently adjudicating upon complaints and issues about news broadcasters. The biased attitude of the NBSA first came to fore when it unnecessarily ordered the Republic TV to render a full-screen apology to its viewers in relation to comments made by the channel’s primary anchor, Shivani Gupta during the broadcast of ‘Jignesh Mevani’s flop show’ in January earlier this year.
In its order dated August 30, the authority stated that Republic TV “violated the code of ethics and broadcasting standards of NBSA…and should therefore air an apology”. The complaint was reportedly filed by A Singh and his wife who alleged that the channel had misreported that its reporter, Shivani Gupta, had been harassed by the complainant during Mevani’s flop show. However, the NBSA went on to claim that the complainant did not use “any objectionable words” or show “any gesture which can be described as ‘lewd’ or threatening.” It seems that this decision by the “independent” body set up by News Broadcasters Association was an afterthought taken in haste and on the basis of extraneous considerations. The NBSA tried to further harass Republic TV by categorically asking the channel to run the full screen apology before Arnab’s 9 PM show on September 7. However, Republic TV in its representation made it clear that it was only concerned about the safety of its reporter and had also lodged a police complaint regarding the same.
Jignesh Mevani, an extremist leader and an MLA from Gujarat has always been holding bitter emotions against Arnab Goswami’s TV Channel. He had been humiliated once in the past during a press briefing in Chennai when he asked Republic TV’s mic to be removed stating that it was his policy not to talk to Republic TV. He was in turn, snubbed by Times Now’s Sabbir Ahmed and other news reports who walked out on him. Mevani was shown the mirror and it seems that he still holds grudges against Republic TV. And therefore, instead of apologising for misconduct by his goons, he openly celebrated his victory over Republic TV and free speech on his twitter handle. He claimed that Republic TV had used defamatory stuff against him and has now therefore been asked to tender a full screen apology.
Now, in a video clip of the entire incident, Jignesh’s goons can be actually seen misbehaving with Republic TV reporter, Shivani Gupta. They can also be seen making lewd gestures and making the most objectionable and misogynistic of remarks about her. It can also be seen how the police had to manage the entire situation and diffuse the provocations made by Jignesh Mevani’s men. It is atrocious how these frustrated goons went after a female reporter in broad daylight. Out of their hatred for a particular news channel, Jignesh Mevani’s men threatened to violate the dignity and safety of a woman reporter. This created a very ugly scene and one hopes that the police go hammer and tongs after these goons.
Shivani Gupta deserves all the praise in the world for how she stood up for her rights and took on Jignesh Mevani’s goons. However, what is saddening is the fact how the complainant twisted the entire incident and how the NBSA indulged in discriminatory attitude against the Republic TV. This is a classic case where the aggrieved has been humiliated and harassed to the core instead of being remedied. This raises serious questions about how the NBSA functions and the way it is functioning in the most unethical manner. Republic TV should step up the heat and proceed legally against the NBSA along with Jignesh Mevani’s goons for making a desperate attempt of suppressing press freedom.