NBSA fines news broadcasters Rs 1 lakh for violating code of ethics

The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NDSA) has levied a fine of Rs 1 Lakh on news broadcasters, ABP News and Aaj Tak for violating the code of ethics. Complaints were filed against both channels for revealing details of the victim's identity in the Rewari gang rape case allowing her to be identified. ABP News telecast the information on 14th September 2018, and Aaj Tak had done so on 17th September 2018.

Both news organisations have argued in court that the victim of the perpetrated crime had an impressive academic record which needed to be mentioned in the context of the vicious crime committed against her. However, the authority upheld their judgement under the provisions of ‘Code of Ethics, the principles of self-regulation No 4. Depiction of violence or intimidation against women and children’ and the guidelines on reportage of cases of Sexual Assault dated 7.3.2018.