CJP has received a response from News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) on its complaint against Sudarshan News that the complaint has been directed to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) since the news channel is not a member of News Broadcasters Association (NBA).
The response states, “This is to inform you that Sudarshan TV is not a member of the NBA. Hence NBSA cannot take action on the complaint based on NBSA regulations.”
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While making a reference to the I&B Ministry, the NBSA stated, “We are forwarding your complaint to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoI&B) by marking copy to the officials in the MOI&B”.
The NBSA has forwarded the complaint to Joint Secretary (Broadcasting I), Director (Broadcasting I), as well as Under Secretary (BC-I, II & III) and has suggested to follow up with them.
The complaint was filed against the channel for airing a communally inflammatory promotional video for its show exploring a “controversy” on “infiltration” of Muslims in public services, while demeaningly terming it ‘UPSC Jihad’. The trailer that talks about the show was to be broadcast on August 28, 2020. In it the channel’s Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke says, “How has there been a sudden rise in the number of Muslims in IAS and IPS? What is the secret behind scoring high marks in such a difficult exam? If Jihadis of Jamia become your Collectors and Chief Secretaries, what will happen then? The big reveal on the Executive being infiltrated.”
While Delhi High Court had stayed the broadcast of the show on August 28, it had directed the Centre to make a decision on the complaint received against the broadcast of the show. The I&B Ministry in its order dated September 9 allowed the broadcast of the show stating that if the show is found to be violative of the Programme Code, action will be taken. Hence, the show is set to be telecast on September 11 at 8 P.M.
A petition was filed before Delhi High Court, on September 11, challenging the order of I&B Ministry, however, the court refused to grant stay and has issued notice.