NBA asks MIB to withdraw show cause notices to channels; refer issue to NBSA
In a statement News Broadcasters Association said, "NBA urges the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to withdraw the show cause notices issued and refer them to the New Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), which would consider them under its regulations"
After Broadcast Editors Association raising concern over the show cause notice issued by MIB to three news channels ABP News, Aaj Tak and NDTV, now News Broadcasters Association has made a statement urging MIB to reconsider its decision.
In a statement, NBA said, “News Broadcasters Association (NBA) is deeply concerned at the show cause notices, issued to three channels NDTV 24x7/NDTV India, Aaj Tak and ABP News regarding the Yakub execution coverage and reportedly having aired phone in interviews of Chhota Shakeel on two channels, which according to the Ministry cast aspersions against the integrity of the Hon'ble President on India & the Judiciary ; and can incite violence and lead to law & order problems. Since the present Government has gone on record to state that it believes the media should be independent , without any government interference and it should self regulate itself, NBA urges the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to withdraw the show cause notices issued and refer them to the New Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), which would consider them under its regulations.”
MIB issued a show cause notice to leading news channels NDTV, NDTV 24x7, Aaj Tak and ABP for the coverage of 1993 Mumbai Blasts convict Yakub Memon’s hanging. The ministry has sought an explanation from the channels in fifteen days why action shouldn’t be taken against them.
Aaj Tak and ABP News showed phone interviews of Chhota Shakeel. In the interview, he challenged Indian judiciary and he claimed Yakub Memon was innocent, while NDTV aired an interview of Yakub Memon’s lawyer where he said that the hanging was unjustified.
