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The Ministry of information & Broadcasting (MIB) has pulled up Gujarati news channel GSTV for “objectionable programme content aimed at a leader holding an esteemed office”. GSTV is owned by promoters of Gujarati daily Gujarat Samachar.
The ministry issued a show-cause notice to the channel on 2 February for a special programme it aired on 30 January, the 67th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, The Economic Times reported. The show was called ‘Gandhi Hatya Koni Jawabdari’ (Who is responsible for Gandhi’s death).
The half-hour special criticised attempts by some fringe Hindu groups to build a temple for Nathuram Godse.
Without mentioning any name, the show emphasised that Gandhi’s thoughts cannot be taken forward by wearing expensive suits or by waving brooms in the air.
The GSTV report compared the lifestyle of Mahatma Gandhi and a “leader”, without taking any name, stating that “Gandhiji always lived a simple life, whereas he wears a suit worth Rs 9 lakh and moves in expensive cars.”
MIB has said in its notice, “…the channel says this leader initiated the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, but does he actually believe in Gandhian ideology or is he just using his name to earn respect.”
“While the channel has every right to question the conduct of a political leader, the way it has criticised him in the news item seems a deliberate attempt to malign his reputation which is repugnant of the esteemed office he holds,” the notice further stated.
“The channel questions an individual who is a political leader by saying that he praises Mahatma Gandhi in several forums but doesn’t take any stern action against those glorifying Godse.
“It has been observed that such comments aired by the channel in the said programme are not only bound to sully the image of the individual but may also potentially incite violent tendencies which may not be conducive to law and order situation,” the notice added.
In its reply, GSTV denied having violated the programme code. It said that the show-cause notice completely overlooked their right to free speech and expression that is enshrined in the Constitution, reported ET.
“Our programme is in larger public interest.
It raises serious issue about the attempts made by some to displace Mahatma’s message by speaking about his murderer Godse and by attempting to give him a larger-than-life image.
Such attempts are clearly aimed not just at lowering the image of Mahatma but also to justify violence, create a divide in the society.
One has to look at the programme objectively, to understand the underlying message,” the channel said in the reply.
The matter was then sent for review to an inter-ministerial committee (IMC) and GSTV was asked to present a verbal explanation on 24 June.
Read more at:
http://www.televisionpost.com/television/mib-hauls-up-gujarati-news-channel-gstv/
The ministry issued a show-cause notice to the channel on 2 February for a special programme it aired on 30 January, the 67th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, The Economic Times reported. The show was called ‘Gandhi Hatya Koni Jawabdari’ (Who is responsible for Gandhi’s death).
The half-hour special criticised attempts by some fringe Hindu groups to build a temple for Nathuram Godse.
Without mentioning any name, the show emphasised that Gandhi’s thoughts cannot be taken forward by wearing expensive suits or by waving brooms in the air.
The GSTV report compared the lifestyle of Mahatma Gandhi and a “leader”, without taking any name, stating that “Gandhiji always lived a simple life, whereas he wears a suit worth Rs 9 lakh and moves in expensive cars.”
MIB has said in its notice, “…the channel says this leader initiated the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, but does he actually believe in Gandhian ideology or is he just using his name to earn respect.”
“While the channel has every right to question the conduct of a political leader, the way it has criticised him in the news item seems a deliberate attempt to malign his reputation which is repugnant of the esteemed office he holds,” the notice further stated.
“The channel questions an individual who is a political leader by saying that he praises Mahatma Gandhi in several forums but doesn’t take any stern action against those glorifying Godse.
“It has been observed that such comments aired by the channel in the said programme are not only bound to sully the image of the individual but may also potentially incite violent tendencies which may not be conducive to law and order situation,” the notice added.
In its reply, GSTV denied having violated the programme code. It said that the show-cause notice completely overlooked their right to free speech and expression that is enshrined in the Constitution, reported ET.
“Our programme is in larger public interest.
It raises serious issue about the attempts made by some to displace Mahatma’s message by speaking about his murderer Godse and by attempting to give him a larger-than-life image.
Such attempts are clearly aimed not just at lowering the image of Mahatma but also to justify violence, create a divide in the society.
One has to look at the programme objectively, to understand the underlying message,” the channel said in the reply.
The matter was then sent for review to an inter-ministerial committee (IMC) and GSTV was asked to present a verbal explanation on 24 June.
Read more at:
http://www.televisionpost.com/television/mib-hauls-up-gujarati-news-channel-gstv/
