Broadcasting Standards Authority has asked electronic media not to show visuals or details which could 're-traumatise' the victims or reveal their identities.
A Delhi court on Wednesday dismissed the the Zee News Ltd's plea for direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation to lodge an FIR against Congress Member of Parliament Naveen Jindal for allegedly trying to influence the hearing before the News Broadcasting Standards Authority in connection with the alleged extortion bid case.
A Delhi court on Monday reserved for January 16 its order on a plea by Zee News Ltd for direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation to lodge an FIR against Congress MP Naveen Jindal for allegedly trying to "influence" the hearing before News Broadcasting Standards Authority in connection with the alleged extortion bid case.
Here we present a FAQ on the present model of regulation of different forms of media.
Today, hour-long, high-pitched 'debates' at prime time, replete with inflammatory visuals and captions, using half-truths, insinuations and lies, pour venom against Muslims and seek to divide Hindus and Muslims, notes Jyoti Punwani.
The NBSA, a self regulating body for news channels, also advised channels that no footage of the demolition of the Babri Masjid is to be shown in any news item relating to the Ayodhya matter.
"Is it duty of media to advise an investigating agency? It is the duty of the investigating officer to apply his mind (in the probe)," the court said. The judges made the comment when advocate Malvika Trivedi, representing a news channel which has been made a respondent, opposed the PILs.
The ministry of information and broadcasting on Saturday issued an advisory to all television channels and cable TV operators in the wake of the Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict to adhere to programme code and ensure that debates, discussions and visuals do not incite any "divisive" or "anti-national" feelings.
Besides the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, a bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian also issued notices to the News Broadcasters Association, the News Broadcasting Standards Authority of India and the Press Council of India on the PIL filed by Delhi-based lawyer Reepak Kansal.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni said since the NBSA had detailed code of ethics and guidelines that all member channels are expected to adhere to, the same could be given some teeth and made enforceable by the government.
The petition also seeks to restrain the media from publishing the contents or extracts of any alleged private chats, including those on WhatsApp, between her and third parties.
The Bombay HC demanded to know from the Republic TV if asking viewers who should be arrested in a case in which a probe is going on, and infringing upon a person's rights qualified as "investigative journalism".
The apex court, which asked the Centre to consider creating a regulatory mechanism and apprise it, said the government should also inform as to what steps have been taken on the issue under the Cable Television Network Act (CTNA).
Rahul Kulkarni, journalist with a Marathi news channel, was arrested by Mumbai Police on Wednesday, a day after several migrant workers gathered near Bandra station in Mumbai demanding that they be sent back to their home towns.
Talk of a blackout by other news channels in solidarity remained inconclusive because of the heavy news agenda on that day.
Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged the Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath to issue clear guidelines to organisations conducting opinion polls as well as the media for ensuring their authenticity so that those indulging in "frivolous activities" do not get away easily.
There cannot be a 'blanket ban' on media reporting on cases of rape and sexual abuse, it said.
'If anyone crimps on the media, it automatically begins to impact the freedom of the citizen.'
The issue is neglected to such an extent that even the Indian Legal System does not recognise the fact that even males can be harassed.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances