Imphal, Nov 27: Popular Front of India filed complaints against the TV channels India Today, Aajtak and Times Now for telecasting defamatory news about the organisation, before the National Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) which is a self-regulatory body headed by Justice R.V. Raveendran.
“The INDIA TODAY, AAJTAK and TIMESNOW have been continuously telecasting the myths, false allegations, blanket lies, substandard news against the Popular Front with ulterior motives. They were trying to pose the organization in the bad light among the public.
NBSA administers the Codes of Ethics & Broadcasting Standards, which has been voluntarily drawn by the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) for its member broadcasters to demonstrate their commitment to responsible broadcasting and to self regulate themselves. It says in its code that channels should also strive not to broadcast anything which is obviously defamatory or libellous”, said a statement of Popular front of India, Manipur branch.
The statement further added that the News channels must ensure that allegations are not portrayed as fact and charges are not conveyed as an act of guilt and added that none of these norms were followed by these three channels while leveling certain allegations against Popular Front.
The statement also alleged the TV channel of conducting media trial and passed
judgments, which is unfair, unethical and against principle of natural justice.
“Instead of maintaining the neutrality, they were serving for the fulfillment of particular interests. The dignity of the organisation was damaged through the political vendetta of these channels. It is crystal clear that they were attempting to create religious hatred among the public”, the statement said.
Before making the complaints, the General Secretary of Popular Front of India Mr. Mohamed Ali Jinnah had sent letters to these channels two weeks back requesting to tender an unconditional apology to be aired and to withdraw the false allegations.
“Our legal fight against the unethical, substandard false propagations of any such media will continue. No democracy permits such media trials, which creates prejudiced public opinion. They pretend themselves as the judges by evading the principles of natural justice” – Mr. Jinnah said.