NBA Disapproves Type Of Journalism Practiced By Republic TV; Asks Govt To Withdraw CBI Probe In TRP Scam

The Statement released by NBA further states that the Association "is very disturbed at the turn of events in Mumbai as the clash between Republic TV and Mumbai police is posing a threat to the credibility and respect of two great institutions, the media and the police." (emphasis supplied)

Further, the statement expresses the concern of NBA as to how journalists working in the newsroom have become victims of the unfortunate conflict. "(The conflict) is posing a threat to the credibility and respect of two great institutions, the media and the police," the Statement reads.

Referring to Republic TV, the Statement says,

Significantly, the Press Release states,

"Not To Cross Lakshman Rekha"

The Statement makes an appeal to the journalists working with Republic TV, "not to cross the Lakshman Rekha as clearly observed by the Bombay High Court."

Further, it states,

The Statement also says that it has acted against well-known national and regional broadcasters by levelling fines, apologies and warnings in several matters including the coverage of the death of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Further, the NBA makes an appeal that non-member broadcasters follow the Code of Ethics and Guidelines of NBSA

NBA's Stand in connection with CBI probe in TRP Scam

NBA has expresses serious concern at the open-ended FIR registered by the UP police against media for alleged TRP manipulation.

https://twitter.com/livelawindia/status/1318549640934006787

It further says,

Lastly, it states that "BARC has a mechanism to deal with such cases. An internal competent body headed by (Retd.) Justice Mukul Mudgal is capable and empowered to look into cases related to TRP data tampering. All cases related to TRP manipulation should be transferred to this authority."

About NBA

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) represents the private television news & current affairs broadcasters. It is the collective voice of the news & current affairs broadcasters in India .It is an organization funded entirely by its members.

The NBA has presently 26 leading news and current affairs broadcasters (comprising 76 news and current affairs channels) as its members. The NBA presents a unified and credible voice before the Government, on matters that affect the growing industry.

SSR Media Trial and Republic TV: Bombay High Court's recent observations

It may be noted that on Friday (23^rd October), while hearing SSR media trial case. The Bombay High Court orally remarked that media now has become highly polarized and that journalists were responsible and neutral in the past.

Also, on Wednesday (22^nd October), the Bombay High Court asked the lawyer of Republic TV if asking the public who should be arrested in a case is part of investigative journlism.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice G S Kulkarni posed the query in reference to the hashtag campaign '#ArrestRhea' run by the channel in Twitter following the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

"Is this part of investigative journalism? Asking public about their opinion on who should be arrested?", the bench asked Advocate Malvika Trivedi, the channel's lawyer.

The Same bench had also expressed concerns over the practice of "media trial" while hearing a batch of petitions seeking regulations on the reportage of the Sushant Singh Rajput death case.

"If you become the investigator, prosecutor and the judge, what is the use of us? Why are we here", a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice G S Kulkarni had asked Advocate Malvika Trivedi, the lawyer representing Republic TV