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In News

• The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), has fined a News channel for diverting a news debate on hijab into a “communal issue” and not sticking to guidelines.
  • The NBDSA held that the News programme violated the principles of impartiality, neutrality, fairness and decency.
  • The NBDSA highlighted that, they did not have any problem with the subject of debate but with the narrative of the debate.
• The issue has raised a debate related to the working of Media in a democracy.

 

News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA)

• The NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA); it serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters.
  • It promotes itself as “the collective voice of the news, current affairs and digital broadcasters in India.”
• Though it is not a government or legal organization, its rulings matter within the industry.
• The NBDA has 26 news and current affairs broadcasters (comprising 119 news and current affairs channels) as its members.
  • It is funded entirely by its members.
• It aims to protect all its members from persons carrying unfair and/or unethical practices or who discredit television news broadcasters, digital news media and other related entities.
• It carries out activities to promote, protect and secure the interests including the right of freedom of speech and expression of the news broadcasters, digital news media and other related entities.
• It lay down and fosters high standards, ethics and practices in news broadcasting, including entertaining and deciding complaints against or in respect of broadcasters.
• It includes a Chairperson who is to be an eminent jurist, and other members such as news editors, and those experienced in the field of law, education, literature, public administration, etc. nominated by a majority of the Board.
• It may initiate proceedings on its own and issue notice or take action with respect to any matter which falls within its regulations.
  • It can impose a fine up to Rs. 1 lakh and such a fine shall be recovered from the concerned broadcaster.

Significance of Media

• Media refers to all means of Communication, everything ranging from a Phone Call to the news on TV.
  • TV, radio and newspapers are a form of media. Since they reach millions of people across the world they are Called Mass Media.
• A balanced report is essential in media which has to report independently.
• Media plays a very important role in providing news and discussing events taking place in the Country and the world.
  • News Stories in the media inform people about important events in the Country.
• Media by focusing on particular issues influences and Shapes our thoughts. It is said the media sets the agenda for People.
  • Opinions, attitudes, and Conduct of persons are dependent upon the information available to them.
  • Most of our knowledge of Contemporary events comes from newspapers, Radio, Television and movies.
  • Our emotions and attitudes are also formed or influenced to a large extent by the media.
• The media tell us about the working of the Government and create awareness about the welfare programmes.

 

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Concern

• The media is far from being independent. This is because of the Control of the Government over the media Called Censoring and because big business houses Control the media.
• Corporate Funding - A lot of money is spent on maintaining People and getting the latest technology. To meet this Cost, it needs money.
  • Media, therefore, uses advertising as a tool to raise revenue.
• Manipulating News for TRPs is not only a financial scam but also morally and ethically wrong.
• Some Channels are spreading a hate narrative which is a violation of the fundamental right of the citizen to know the truth through the media.
• The media has become a source of disinformation, and this is also an ethical issue.
  • Both legal and ethical dimensions are equally serious

 

Way Forward

• The democratic way of life depends upon the existence of free agencies of mass media.
• The Media must act in a Responsible and Independence manner; they need to promote Sincerity, Truthfulness, Accuracy, and Impartiality in their work.
• News reporting must be factual and objective.
• Programs relating to Controversial public issues are needed to give fair representation to both sides of the issue.
• Children’s programs are to be educative rather than merely entertaining.
• Advertising of hard liquor, and fortune-telling, must be avoided.
• Privacy is one of the fundamental freedoms of people and it is essential to liberty and human dignity.
• A journalist must be held accountable for the consequences of the reporting.
• Need to promote a Free and Responsible Press.
• The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation.
• Brutal killings are not to be presented in detail.
• The media should not report the glorification of war, over-sentimentality, unnecessary brutality or killing, passionate love scenes, undue sympathy for immoral or criminal behaviour, or superficiality.
• Government can facilitate the Reform Process. The government may pass a law that any violation will face legal action or criminal action, but the media needed a strong policy of Self­-regulation and at the same time independent regulation.

 

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/news-broadcasting-digital-standards-authority-which-fined-tv-channel-over-hijab-issue-coverage-8233764/

 

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