The News Broadcasters and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has ordered News18 Rajasthan to delete a video on the Tirupati laddu controversy that was aired in September 2024. The video featured an interview with self-styled spiritual leader Swami Dipankar and had seemed to suggest in its headline that the presence of beef fat in the laddu was the Congress party’s doing.
“The anchor could be seen questioning the interviewee as to whether the adulteration in the prasadam laddu was a conspiracy against the Hindus. While the anchor had raised questions concerning the responsibility of the current administration and trust members, the overall tone of the broadcast seemed to be less about seeking accountability for the ghee adulteration; instead, the broadcast provided the interviewee with a platform to expound his views on the Sanatan Dharma, which was a deviation from the intended subject for the interview,” said the authority.
The order came on January 28 after a complaint by Pune-based techie and activist Indrajit Ghorpade, who has filed several complaints against news channels in the past.
The NBDSA decided to advise the broadcaster to consider guidelines while inviting any person as an interviewee and in its reportage. “Facts should be clearly distinguishable from, and not be mixed-up with opinion, analysis and comment.”
The broadcaster had told the NBDSA that it had revised the headline and thumbnail. But the authority noted that the broadcast itself had not been revised, as the anchor could be seen questioning the interviewee as to whether the adulteration in the prasadam laddu was a conspiracy against the Hindus.
The NBDSA also said that contrary to the broadcaster’s submission that it had removed the interview from its portal or channel, it appears that the broadcast was still available on the broadcaster’s YouTube channel. “In view of the same, NBDSA directs the broadcaster to remove the video from all platforms, including from YouTube, within seven days from the receipt of the decision and inform NBDSA accordingly.”
This report was originally published in the Newslaundry and can be accessed here.