News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 3

The NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters.

The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA)

• It is a self-regulatory agency set up by news and digital broadcasters, has fined the Hindi TV channel Rs 50,000 for turning a news debate on hijab into a “communal issue” and not adhering to guidelines.
•  The NBDSA held that the programme was in violation of the principles relating to impartiality, neutrality, fairness and good taste and decency.
• The NBDSA, which adjudicates upon complaints about news broadcasts, said it did not have any problem with the subject but with the narrative of the debate. 
• This is not the first time a channel has seen a complaint against it through the NBDSA, and though it is not a government or legal organisation, its rulings matter within the industry.
• The NBDSA is an independent body set up by the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), which serves as a representative of private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters. 
• It describes itself as “the collective voice of the news, current affairs and digital broadcasters in India.”
• Funded entirely by its members, the NBDA has 26 news and current affairs broadcasters (comprising 119 news and current affairs channels) as its members. 
• Various senior members of Indian media organisations serve on its Board of Directors.
• Apart from presenting a unified front, 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 shares developments in the industry with members, provides a space for achieving common goals and consensus and aims to protect all its members from persons carrying “unfair and/or unethical practices or who discredit the television news broadcasters, digital news media and other related entities.

Functions and Powers

• It’s standards mention a focus on objectivity, impartiality, maintaining discretion when reporting on crime against women and children, not endangering national security, etc.
• The body 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.
• The Authority may initiate proceedings on its own and issue notice or take action in respect to any matter which falls within its regulations.
• This can also be through complaints referred to the Authority by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting or any other governmental body, or by anyone else via its website
• A “two-tier” procedure is in place for redressing grievances, where any person aggrieved by the content of any broadcast is required to first make a complaint to the concerned broadcaster and if they are not satisfied by the redress, a complaint can be filed before the Authority.
• Within 14 days from the date of receipt of a complaint, the Authority will issue notice to the concerned broadcaster to show cause why action should not be taken under the regulations.
• An inquiry is held in which proof, documents, and people can be called in by the authority.
• If the complainant or the respondent does not get back to the Authority, the complaint can be set aside.
• It can also recommend to the concerned authority for suspension/revocation of the license of such broadcaster.
• The fine imposed by the Authority shall not exceed Rs. 1 lakh and such fine shall be recovered from the concerned broadcaster.