NBA urges MIB to withdraw show cause notice to NDTV, AajTak and ABP News

MIB has issued notices to these channels regarding the Yakub Memon execution coverage and reportedly having aired phone in interviews of Chhota Shakeel on two channels

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | August 11, 2015

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has expressed deep concern over the show cause notices issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to three channels – NDTV 24x7/ NDTV India, AajTak and ABP News regarding the Yakub Memon execution coverage and reportedly having aired phone in interviews of Chhota Shakeel on two channels. According to the MIB, these cast aspersions against the integrity of the President on India and the Judiciary and can incite violence and lead to law and order problems.

A statement issued by the NBA stated: “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 has given 15 days' time to these channels to give their reply as to why action shouldn't be taken against them.

Meanwhile, the Broadcast Editors' Association (BEA) also condemned the show cause notice issued by the MIB. NDTV carried the statements by the BEA on their portal, wherein they've called the Government's move as an 'Assault on freedom of speech'.

They raised the following points in their defence:

• There's a tendency among governments, both at the Centre and in some states, to serve notices on media organisations in a selective manner.
• Peaceful funeral of Yakub Memon nails suggestion in notice that media coverage incites violence.
• The BEA have stated that it is shameful to that cable TV rules are invoked to question to media's rights to air views contrary to government decisions

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