NBSA holds Republic TV responsible for misreporting; the channel apologises

Apologising for the misreporting by the BJP MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar’s news channel Republic TV, the news channel issued their statement stating that they ‘inadvertently circled visual of a reporter from ABP News, Jainendra Kumar, while running pictures of our News Editor, Shivani Gupta, being targeted by individuals present at the Jignesh Mevani rally’.

The apology comes after News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) sought a full-screen apology to its viewers for inappropriate comments made by its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami. The news anchor had in his prime time had multiple times made inappropriate comments and had shown fake reports of their reporter being harassed.

In the apology, sought by the NBSA, the news channel stated, “On the debate yesterday, we inadvertently circled visual of a reporter from ABP News, Jainendra Kumar, while running pictures of our News Editor, Shivani Gupta, being targeted by individuals present at the Jignesh Mevani rally.” It further added that they have issued the apology “as per the highest norms of corrigendum and clarification on such editorial matters”. It also added that this was a follow up on ABP News’ behest, reported NewsLaundry.

The news channel had also removed the video from its website and YouTube account in which they have circled the face of  ABP News reporter allegedly harassing their reporter. Earlier in their prime time, the celebrated news anchor had said, “I want their faces circled more. I want the family members of these cheap, perverse goons to watch their family members doing this … at this event which was the Jignesh flop show. Let’s name and shame these people.”

Acting tough on the complaint filed by A Singh and his partner Pratishtha Singh, the NBSA had issued a statement and asked the news channel to apologise and air a full-screen apology to its viewers for inappropriate comments made by its editor-in-chief, before 9 pm debate on September 7, 2018.

ALSO READ: PM Modi’s speech expunged, Derek O Brien accuses media of being ‘biased’