Apologise For Derogatory Remarks: NSBA Directs Republic TV, Arnab

NBSA has asked the channel to air a full screen apology in large font size with clearly audible voice-over.

File photo of Arnab Goswami.

(Photo: The Quint)

National Broadcasting Standard Authority (NBSA) has ordered Republic TV to issue an on-air apology for the derogatory comments made by its anchor and editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami, in a broadcast, earlier in January.

The independent body, issued an order to the channel on 30 August, based on a complaint by A Singh.

In his complaint, Singh claimed that he was wrongly accused of harassing a Republic TV reporter during Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani’s ‘Hunkar Rally’, in New Delhi’s Parliament Street.

Singh said that the channel had used a visual of him and called him a “vulgar thug”, “pervert”, “goon”, “sexist”, “hyena” and “anti-Indian”.

NSBA’s Direction to Republic TV

The body directed that Republic TV issue an apology before Goswami’s flagship programme on Friday, 7 September. It said that the apology should be issued “in large-size font with clearly audible voice-over expressing regret.”

NSBA has also asked Republic TV to submit the proof of compliance in a CD.

NBSA was of the view that the use of words like “I am going to show these crude, lewd hyenas / show the dirty faces of news cheap, vulgar, sexist, pervert anti-India goons” by Mr Arnab Goswami who was anchoring the programme, while the channel focused on the face of the complainant (by marking his face by a circle of red dots) from among the persons at the rally venue who allegedly threatened / harassed its female news reporter, was totally unwarranted and unjustified and the same was in violation of the Broadcasting Standards.

National Broadcasting Standards Authority

The broadcasting authority observed that errors by Republic TV must be corrected promptly and clearly whether in the use of pictures, a news report, a caption, a graphic or a script.