NBDSA Penalises Aaj Tak For Sudhir Chaudhary Show Using 'Tukde Tukde Gang', 'Khalistani', 'Pakistani Supporters' Terms In Video On Obama

The complaint was filed against the impugned broadcast for violating the principles of neutrality and objectivity while reporting and analyzing statements made by Barack Obama on the disenfranchisement of minorities in India.

During the June 26, 2023 airing of Aaj Tak's "Black and White" broadcast, Chaudhary vehemently criticized Barack Obama's remarks to CNN. These remarks came to light during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the United States of America.

In response to a question asked in the interview about how Joe Biden should engage with with leaders such as Chinese President Xi Jinping and PM Modi, who are considered to be "autocratic....illiberal democrats", Barack Obama said that part of his argument would be that if the rights of ethnic minorities are not protected in India, there is a strong possibility that India, at some point, would start pulling apart.

"And we have seen what happens when you start getting into large internal conflicts... That would be contrary to the interests not only of Muslim India, but also Hindu India. I think it's important to be able to talk about these things honestly," he had said.

The anchor, in his opening statement, without quoting the complete statement, compared Barack Obama's statement with the ideology of Khalistan supporters, pro-Pakistan people in India, separatists and other extremists. But what Obama actually said was a very generic statement. The anchor was trying to attribute extremist and separatist intent to Obama's statement and to the belief that ethnic minorities are being disenfranchised.

NBDSA Chairperson Justice AK Sikri observed, “there would have been no issue with the impugned broadcast had the anchor confined its analysis only to reporting the statement made by Mr. Obama or criticising it. However, in the impugned broadcast, while doing so the anchor went totally stringent and overboard by bringing in a totally unconnected narrative.”

“the anchor connected the said statement, out of the blue, with separatist organizations and extremist groups like Khalstan, which was a gross misrepresentation. Doing so amounted to violation of the principles of Objectivity and Neutrality,” NBDSA further observed.

NBDSA also observed that in the impugned broadcast, by using words "Tukde Twede Gang", "Khalstani in Punjab" and "Pakistani supporters", instead of confining its discussion to Mr. Obama's statement, the broadcaster had failed to present a controversial issue with sensitivity and objectivity.

Apart from finding a violation of the principles of Objectivity and Neutrality as enshrined in the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards NBDSA also found that the impugned broadcast had violated the Specific Guidelines for Anchors conducting Programmes including Debates, which stated that "all programmes wbetber debates or otherwise must be presented in an impartial, objective and neutral manner and news should not be selected or designed to promote any particular belief, opinion or interests.

Bearing in mind the violations in the impugned broadcast, NBDSA decided, “to impose a fine of Rs. 75,000/- on the broadcaster and advised the broadcaster to ensure that in future broadcasts, controversial subjects are fairly presented with strict adherence to the principles of Neutrality, Impartiality and Objectivity in the broadcast.”

NBDSA further also directed the broadcaster to edit the video of the said broadcast by expunging the objectionable parts or, if that is not possible, to remove the video, if still available on the website of the channel, or YouTube, and remove all hyperlinks including access which should be confirmed to NBDSA in writing within 7 days of the Order.

Click Here To Read the Order