NBA decries attempts to muzzle media with unsubstantiated motives

It has objected to the unverified and highly defamatory charges being levelled against news channels by Arvind Kejriwal and is shocked by the statement of the Union Home Minister that he would “crush the electronic media”

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | February 26, 2014

News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has, in statement yesterday, objected to the unverified, unsubstantiated and highly defamatory charges being levelled against news channels by Arvind Kejriwal of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its members, attributing corrupt motives and accusing the electronic media for not giving enough coverage or ignoring this or that party, without specific details to substantiate such charges.

The statement said that it is “shocking to note that the very parties that gained immensely from media coverage are today turning against the electronic media, when they are under scrutiny on issues of governance”.

NBA is equally shocked by the statement of the Union Home Minister that he would “crush the electronic media” and that a “close watch” was being kept on them.

NBA has categorically stated that a news channel's endeavour is to cover newsworthy events across all segments of national and international life and to present news to viewers that is current and relevant. “The media provides a service that is essential for any democratic society. This is particularly important when the most fundamental aspect of a democracy – the elections – is round the corner. At such a time, the media plays an indispensable role in enabling citizens to stay well informed and make important choices. There can be no acceptable reason for attacking the media on frivolous unsubstantiated grounds. Intimidation and preventing the media from performing its duties amounts to interfering with the freedoms enshrined in and guaranteed by the Constitution,” the statement said.

NBA has appealed to political leaders from all parties and public figures not to level baseless charges against the media and keep the discourse civil and sane.

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