NBDSA Raps News 18 India, Rubika For Suggesting Arvind Kejriwal Is Guilty In Liquor 'Scam', Directs To Delete Broadcast Segment

The News Broadcasting Digital Standards Authority  (NBDSA) has directed news channel News 18 India to remove a portion of its broadcast after finding that a portion of the footage of a news debate showed its anchor Rubika Liyaquat attributing guilt to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise case which it said is "sub judice" and violated the code of conduct. 

The broadcast programme in question is a show hosted by News 18 India titled 'Goonj with Rubika Liyaquat' which was aired on March 28, 2024. The complainant Indrajeet Ghorpade claimed that by airing the impugned broadcast, the broadcaster had violated the principles concerning Impartiality and Objectivity in reporting and Ensuring Neutrality under the Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards, Guidelines 1, 2, 4(ii), 4(i), 4(v), 5 and 9 under the Specific Guidelines for Reporting Court Proceedings, Guidelines concerning Accuracy and Impartiality, Neutrality and Fairness under the Specific Guidelines Covering Reportage apart from violating the Specific Guidelines for Anchors conducting Programmes including Debates. 

The complainant claimed that the show concerned the arrest of former Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Keiriwal, which took place while the elections were underway. He submitted that while the anchor and the panellists were discussing the arrest of the Chief Minister, one of the panellists, a BJP spokesperson, alleged that the Chief Minister had actually committed a scam. This accusation was subsequently repeated by the anchor throughout the broadcast, when she said, "aapki khaal uttar jayengi?" and "agar apne corruption nhi kara hota toh apke against itne bade charges frame nhi hoti?', implying guilt and conviction, which is undertrial. A more concerning aspect of the broadcast was the anchor's attack on the freedom of speech and expression and freedom of criticism, he said. The anchor went on a monologue yelling at the panellists, saying that you cannot criticize the PrimeMinister and that calling the Prime Minister a corrupt man or accusing him of corruption was objectionable, the complainant said.

 After perusing the footage, the NBDSA headed by its Chairperson retired Supreme Court judge Justice AK Sikri said:

"On a perusal of the footage of the impugned broadcast, NBDSA found a violation of the Code of Conduct in the broadcast. NBDSA was of the view that there was no problem with the anchor defending the Prime Minister in the impugned broadcast. However, the problem lay in the manner in which the anchor had attributed guilt in a matter that is sub judice; this aspect of the broadcast NBDSA observed was not only violative of the Specific Guidelines for Reporting Court Proceedings and the principle of neutrality under the Code of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards, but also the judgment of the Hon'ble BombayHigh Court in Nilesh Navlakha c Anr. vs UOI c Ors (2021) SCC Online BOM 56".

The authority further said that it was "expected that the anchor, while defending the Prime Minister, would exercise restraint, maintain a professional tone and refrain from indulging in a back-and-forth debate with a panellist, as such discussion detracts from the meaningful debate".

"In view of the above, NBDSA decided to convey to the broadcaster to be careful in crafting such programmes and debates so as not to violate the Guidelines and the mandate of the Courts in this behalf. NBDSA further also directed the broadcaster to edit the video of the said broadcast by removing the offending portion of the broadcast within 7 days of the Order. NBDSA decided to close the complaint with the above observations and inform the complainant and the broadcaster accordingly," the body has said in its order. 

The broadcaster meanwhile denied the allegation that the impugned broadcast implied that Kejriwal was guilty. As far as the complainant's grievance regarding the anchor was concerned, the broadcaster submitted that the anchor had "merely warned the panellists to speak about the Prime Minister in a polite manner" stating that if anyone had concerns regarding corruption, they could raise the same before a Court of law.

"The anchor had implored the panellists to tone down their aggression and expend the same respect to the Prime Minister, as they would to their own party Chairperson. The anchor raised no objection to the panellists raising questions inrespect of the Prime Minister. Rather, it reiterated that in the broadcast, an objection was raised only to the language and tone used by the panellists. As far as the statement "Only if you hadn't done corruption, if such huge charges weren't framed" is concerned, the broadcaster submitted that the anchor was only raising a question and had provided ample opportunity for the panellists to respond," the order notes the broadcaster's submissions. 

Case title: Indrajeet Ghorpade v/s Kshipra Jatana Compliance Officer NBDSA Network18 Media & Investments Limited

Click Here To Read/Download Order