NBDSA Expresses "Strong Disapproval" Of Zee News Program Against Shehla Rashid; Directs Removal Of Video Links

The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has ruled that a show aired by Zee News on November 30, 2020 against JNU scholar Shehla Rashid lacked objectivity, impartiality and had presented only 'one side of the story'. 

Accordingly, Zee News was directed to remove the video of the impugned broadcast from their website, YouTube and all other links. 

Shehla Rashid had lodged a complaint with the NBDSA against the show aired on November 30, 2020 at 11pm wherein the complainant's biological father had been interviewed making wild allegations against the complainant, her sister and her mother. It had also been imputed that the complainant was involved in funding terror. It was further alleged that the anchor himself had asserted that the complainant was involved in anti-national activities such as terror- funding. 

In an order dated March 31, NBDSA was of the view that the by allowing the interviewee i.e. the father of the complainant(Shehla Rashid) to vent and air his allegations against the complainant, the channel had presented only one side of the story. 

"Further, not only had the broadcaster failed to approach the complainant for her version, prior to telecasting the impugned programme but by making only a fleeting reference to her denial of the allegations, the broadcaster had also failed to adequately present her version. In any case, the Authority noted that to broadcast the version of the complainant available in her social media posts was not sufficient compliance of the Guidelines", the order read. 

NBDSA Chairperson Justice (retired) A.K Sikri further observed that the allegations made by the father of the complainant had no connection with the visuals shown in the broadcast relating to JNU. It was stated that the programme appeared to give the impression that the complainant was involved in anti-national activities. 

Issuing a warning to Zee News, the order further averred, 

"The Authority observed that such generalised statements are violative of the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards and Guidelines relating to Impartiality and Objectivity in reporting. The broadcaster should be careful in future while making general accusatory statements in any of its broadcasts". 

The NBDSA further directed Zee News to exercise caution in airing such programmes in the future and not repeat such violations in the future. 

"The Broadcaster should be careful in future while making general accusatory statements in any of its broadcasts", the Authority stated in the order.