ITV

Category: News Broadcasting

  • Govt. issues showcause notice to Live India on fake sting

    NEW DELHI: Live India, which ran into controversy after telecasting a sting operation that was subsequently declared as fake, has been issued a showcause notice by the information and broadcasting ministry.

    “A notice has been issued to the channel to show cause why its licence and permission to uplink should not be withdrawn for carrying out a fake sting and violating the Programme Code as well as the regulations under the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995,” confirms a senior ministry official, speaking to Indiantelevision.com.

    “The Act is clear that ‘no person shall transmit or re-transmit through a cable service any programme unless such programme is in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code,” the source adds.

    Queried about the government notice, Broadcast Initiative Ltd promoter Markand Adhikari, however, refuted it. “I am not aware of any showcause notice issued by the ministry,” Adhikari stated.

    Meanwhile, Live India is facing the ire of the government on the one hand and other TV news channels on the other, as the incident has come at a time when there is growing confrontation between the I&B Ministry and news broadcasters on the need or relevance of an imposed Content Code.

    The channel’s reporters Prakash Singh and Rashmi Singh are in police custody, while school teacher Uma Khurana has been granted bail in the fake sting which showed her using her own students for prostitution.

    Businessman Virendra Arora, who is said to have wanted to recover money reportedly owed to him by Khurana, now stands accused of having hatched the conspiracy using Singh.

  • BBC’s show ‘Spooks’ to examine the relationship betweeen the US, UK and Iran

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that its spy show Spooks will return later this year on BBC One. The complex relationship between the UK, Iran and the US is put under the spotlight … but who can really be trusted under this new world order? In India the show airs on BBC Entertainment which is carried on Tata Sky.

    Over the course of 10 hour-long episodes, Adam, Harry and the team are immersed in their most intricate operation to date. The broadcaster says that the distinction between friend and foe becomes ever more blurred. Rupert Penry-Jones, Hermione Norris and Peter Firth return as officers Adam, Ros and Harry of Section D, MI5.

    Raza Jaffrey, Miranda Raison and Hugh Simon also reprise their roles as Zaf, Jo and Malcolm, and welcome new arrival Connie played by Gemma Jones. In the drama, Iran’s covert scheme to become a nuclear power leads to growing mistrust between the British, American and Iranian governments, who all nurse their own agendas to help or hinder the Middle Eastern state in its efforts.

    The volatile climate culminates in a series of high risk operations both at home and abroad. The opening episode sees Zaf, undercover in Tehran, attempt to place a bomb on a civilian train in an effort to flush out a key Iranian spy, an act which could have dangerous ramifications not only for Zaf but for the whole team.

    Meanwhile, the electric atmosphere between Adam and Ros comes to a head, but things are complicated further by Adam’s dangerous ongoing affair with a key asset inside the Iranian embassy.

    Spooks producer Katie Swinden says, “For the first time ever, we’ve chosen to explore one theme throughout the series, and one which is an ongoing concern in today’s world affairs agenda. The relationship between Britain, Iran and the US is such a delicate and topical issue that it opens up a wealth of new storyline possibilities to us.

    “Audiences will be able to follow Adam, Harry, Ros and the team as they take on their most challenging operation to date, and will get to see them in a whole new range of dangerous and exciting situations.”

    The BBC executive producer Sarah Brandist says, “Spooks, one of the autumn highlights for both BBC Drama and BBC One and this year, takes on a more global feel by telling bigger, bolder stories across a wider landscape.

    “BBC One viewers, who are already eagerly awaiting the gang’s return, will be treated to an explosive opening two-parter and, from then on, the action flows from beginning to end. Spooks has returned in style.”

  • BBC establishes an editorial standards board

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has established an editorial standards board, chaired by the BBC’s Deputy DG Mark Byford, and comprising the BBC’s most senior output directors, has been established and is undertaking a major programme of work in this area. This group has met weekly and has overseen the work. BBC DG Mark Thompson made this announcement while providing an update to the BBC Trust in which he reported substantial progress in delivering a package of tough and rigorous measures to address concern over recent editorial breaches in competitions and voting.

    Thompson says, “The BBC-wide review of our output since 2005 is now completed, and four further serious editorial breaches had been found. None of the further editorial breaches involved premium rate telephone lines. An unprecedented programme of editorial training, Safeguarding Trust, will begin in November. It is expected that all 16,500 BBC production and content staff will participate in the mandatory training programme. This programme is not simply about reinforcing the imperative to understand and comply with all of the BBC’s values and editorial standards, including truth and honesty, but in that context will enable staff to debate the right production techniques in light of the current debate about artifice in programmes. Training materials will be made available to other broadcasters and independent producers.”

    A phased and controlled return of competitions on BBC programmes and online, which are currently suspended, is also expected to begin in November following a strengthening of editorial guidance and control. Competitions will now be approved and supervised at a senior level within each output area. Thompson reported to the Trust that he expected a significant reduction in the number of competitions being broadcast by the BBC, but he recognised that audiences very much enjoyed taking part in BBC programmes in this way.

    A full independent inquiry into the incident involving the BBC One autumn season launch and Her Majesty The Queen, which is being conducted by Will Wyatt CBE, is expected to report to Thompson next month. The findings of this inquiry will be made public once they have been considered by the BBC Trust. 

    Thompson also informed the Trust that he has commissioned a new online project which will enable the public to explore how contemporary media content is produced. The BBC believes this will be a major contribution to media literacy in Britain.

    A BBC working party on the use of premium rate telephony in programme and content areas has made progress Thompson says. This includes the development of new editorial and operational guidance which will form part of the overall management response on strengthening editorial compliance. The group is also revising the BBC’s policy on the use of premium rate tariffs and is looking to set up a system of approved service providers of telephony.

    Thompson will meet his counterparts in the commercial public service broadcasters later this month to discuss ways of working together to build and restore public confidence and trust in the light of editorial issues across the industry.

  • Bloomberg TV to look ‘Inside India’ tomorrow

    MUMBAI: European news broadcaster Bloomberg Television will air a special Inside India on 25 September . Bloomberg’s Haslinda Amin gives viewers an in-depth look at the challenges confronting India’s expanding economy 60 years after its independence.

    Reporting from India, Bloomberg will examine investment opportunities,the debate surrounding India’s special economic zones, India’s retail revolution, the country’s developing infrastructure and the trend of “reverse outsourcing” jobs to the West.

    India’s Financial Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram tells Bloomberg’s Amin “India is attracting foreign investors now. Better infrastructure will attract more investors and more foreign investments. This process of economic reforms and economic growth has to continue for at least another 20-25 years before many of our objectives are achieved,” .

    In addition to Financial Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram , the programme features interviews with Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath Wipro chairman Azim Premji, Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal, Suzlon Energy chairman Tulsi Tanti, ICICI Bank’s Nilesh Shah and Citigroup India CEO Sanjay Nayar.

  • NBA condemns fake stings, warns govt against undue intervention

    NEW DELHI: For the first time since the Uma Khurana sting, in which the school teacher was shown getting girl students into prostitution, the News Broadcasters Association has openly denounced the fake sting in partucular and similar attempts, if any.

    In a press statement signed by NBA Secretary General Annie Joseph, the organisation has, however, also expressed concerns about the government’s role in news media.

    “The recent sting operation aired by TV channel Live India and events following it have raised substantial and serious issues.

    “The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) unequivocally condemns any attempt by anyone to fabricate news and to attempt to gain popularity at the cost of journalistic integrity. Such acts risk discrediting television news, and indeed the news media, as a whole,” the statement says.

    However, it adds that this does not mean that sting operations are wrong in principle. The NBA believes that sting operations are a legitimate journalistic tool and means of investigation, but like all powerful tools they have to be used with care and responsibility.

    “However, the NBA continues to question the role of government in media.

    “Regrettably, the present instance is only the latest in a series of government interventions in media content in the recent past, including several cases of suspension of licensed TV channels. In each instance the key question left unanswered was how and by what process it was determined that there was an offence; and on what basis the penalty was determined.

    “A free and independent media is the cornerstone of India’s powerful democracy, and it behoves an elected government to support and strengthen that freedom.

    “The NBA knows that with freedom comes responsibility, and respects the role of government in ensuring such responsibility.

    “However, it also believes that to do so requires a transparent and codified process. Government intervention in news content without a transparent, codified process and basis is nothing short of censorship, and a threat to the freedom of the press – and in turn to the health of the democracy.
    “In acknowledgement of the responsibility of the press, a committee of Editors of member channels of the NBA is framing guidelines for self-regulation for news and current affairs channels, for implementation at the earliest,” the statement concluded.

    However, it is notable that the NBA has not yet issued any statement on a national TV channel and powerful broadcaster group showeing the video of a former film starlet bathing in the nude inside a jail. That footage has been hauled up by the Supreme Court. NBA has so far offered no comments on that.

    The NBA, in the meanwhile, is in the process of formulating its own Code of Content, a first draft of which is going to be circulated among the NBA members, with an attempt to involve all news channels across the country, to make it a national, standard Code that is enforceable.

  • Total TV seniors not on the run, no arrest so far

    NEW DELHI: The two senior journalists named by Total TV reporter Priya Singh in her suicide note have not been arrested so far. Their bosses have, however, met top officials here and assured that they are available for questioning whenever the police want them.

    Meanwhile, police officials this afternoon confirmed that there will be no arrests till the investigation has progressed to a point demanding such an action.

    Singh had written a suicide note saying that she had been harassed by Tapan Bharti, Output Editor and producer Umesh Joshi.

    When the police had gone to their houses, both were not to be found.

    However, a senior official of Total TV went to the Noida police station and assured the police that none of them were on the run, and would be available when required by the investigators. The official from Total TV has reportedly told the police that Singh was like a daughter to them.

    Singh had joined Total TV about a year ago and was quickly promoted to the education beat as an anchor, but as she has alleged, was later removed from the post by the two, who complained to her boss.

    The news TV channel insiders today feel uncomfortable with the developments, and though none of the senior editors were available for comment, most people spoken to feel there is too much public glare on the channels.

    Some held that it was a purely an internal matter for the channel to sort out, holding that such an incident could happen in any organisation, whether in the media or outside of it.

    One correspondent said that while there could be no comment on the Total TV incident till investigations reveal something, the pressure on news TV reporters due to TRP ratings being the sole goal was enormous.

    “Some manage the pressure, some find other routes to unburden themselves, but Singh chose the wrong way to deal with her stressful life,” he said.

    Most insiders admit that there is too much of pressure, and though the salaries are good, the whole issue about immediacy creates a burden that is often difficult to handle for many in the profession.

    One more aspect that has been commented upon is for the present generation of TV journalists, the need for a quick rise to fame, in terms of being seen on the small screen, is the only goal.

    They point out to the Live India incident in which the reporter and an aide actually went to the extent of concocting a sting that led to horrific results.

    Singh had risen fast in her channel, with just about a year behind her, and she ended her life alleging she had been ousted unduly by her seniors from that chimeric world of being a TV personality.

  • NDTV launches NDTV Arabia in ME and North Africa

    MUMBAI: NDTV has launched NDTV Arabia in the Middle East and North Africa region. The 24-hour news and infotainment channel will be free-to-air channel available on Nile Sat.

    However an official press release states that the official launch will be around the end of October, after the channel’s soft launch today.

    The English channel will have a mixed content of business, current affairs and lifestyle. Subsequently the channel is going to have local news content produced from its bureau in Dubai, the release added.

    NDTV Ltd. chairman Prannoy Roy said, “We are proud to announce the launch of NDTV Arabia, the first wholly owned region specific channel from the bouquet of NDTV. This launch is in line with our plans to initiate international expansion beyond our current core market and reach new target audiences. The aim is to give more and more people access to credible quality news and information from India and South Asia. Our next step for the region will be to launch further channels targeting the local Diaspora.”

    NDTV Group CEO KVL Narayan Rao said, “NDTV Arabia is NDTV’s first venture into the Middle East and Africa as a customised channel. The channel aims to cater to growing interest in Indian current affairs and economy among a large population of Indian and South Asian origin in the Middle East and Africa.”

  • Good Morning India to launch two news channels

    MUMBAI: To the ever-growing list of companies entering the news broadcasting arena, add Good Morning India, publisher of Hindi current affairs magazine India News.

    Promoted by Kartik Sharma, son of former Union minister Venod Sharma, Good Morning India will be launching a Hindi language news channel as well as an English one.

    “We have got the license from the (information & broadcasting) ministry for both the channels. The Hindi news channel will be called Ab Tak while the English news channel is likely to be called ITV News,” a source close to the developments avers.

    “The Hindi news channel will launch first, by year-end, to be followed later by the English news channel,” the source adds.

    While refusing to divulge any details about the investments being made, the source confirms that the company is expanding in the print space as well, and will be launching an English weekly and a Hindi newspaper.

  • Fake sting: Live India banned for one month

    NEW DELHI: The Live India Channel which telecast the fake sting leading to a law and order problem and arrest of a Delhi school teacher, has now been banned for one month with immediate effect.

    The Information and Broadcasting Ministry today issued order for prohibiting the transmission/re-transmission of the satellite channel (which until early August was known as Janmat) on all platforms throughout the country.

    The ban has been imposed in terms of the Sub-Section (2) of Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995. The Act is clear that ‘no person shall transmit or re-transmit through a cable service any programme unless such programme is in conformity with the prescribed programme code’.

    Section 20 (2) of the Act says the government may regulate or prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of any channel or programme ‘Where the Central Government thinks it necessary or expedient so to do in the interest of the (i) sovereignty or integrity of India; or (ii) security of India; or (iii) friendly relations of India with any foreign State; or (iv) public order, decency or morality.

    Earlier, the Ministry had issued a showcause notice on 11 September asking the channel to respond within three days.

    The order issued today, effective till 20 October says: “It had come to the notice of the Central Government that some Cable Operators in the country through their Cable Television Networks had been transmitting/re-transmitting the satellite channel namely ‘Janmat’ (assumed name Live India), which telecast an admittedly doctored sting operation on Smt. Uma Khurana, teacher, Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Darya Ganj, Delhi.”

    The order further noted that the telecast of the sting operation was “defamatory, deliberate, false and contained suggestive innuendos and half-truths; incited violence and contained content against maintenance of law and order. It criticized, maligned and slandered an individual in person and it denigrated children and was irresponsibly aired by the channel without exercise of due diligence in preliminary verification of the facts of the case.”

    The channel’s reporters Prakash Singh and Rashmi Singh are already in police custody. It is also learnt that some women’s organizations have filed a complaint asking the Ministry to cancel the broadcasting licence of the channel.

    Interestingly, the incident has come out at a time when there is growing confrontation between the Ministry and news broadcasters on the need or relevance of an imposed Content Code.

    The school teacher Uma Khurana has been granted bail in the fake sting which showed her using her own students for prostitution. Businessman Virendra Arora who wanted to recover some money reportedly owed to him by Uma is reported to have hatched the conspiracy using Prakash.

    Live India is the new name of Janmat channel, promoted by Broadcast Initiatives Ltd of Markand Adhikari. Janmat was a predominantly “views channel” earlier till it re-launched itself in the form of Live India, a 24×7 news channel, on 3 August.

  • NT editors discuss Content; draft Code in week’s time

    NEW DELHI: The Editors of news TV channels based in Delhi met to discuss the issue of Code of Conduct and have charted 10 areas of concern.

    Based on these 10 points, Times Now editor Arnab Goswami will develop a draft code within the next week, sources have revealed to indiantelevision.com.

    Expectedly, the primary issue would be privacy and sting operations, which would be broken down into further sub-categories of violence, superstition, sleaze, showing of cadavers, explicit sexuality and cruelty, etc, along with the rather amorphous issue of impartiality.

    But who would decide the parameters of impartiality? Sources said that Goswami would first develop the draft and these finer issues would then be discussed after the draft is circulated among all channels.

    The meeting included Shazi Zaman (Star), Rajdeep Sardesai (CNN IBN), Pankaj Pachauri (NDTV), Arnab Goswami (Times Now), Ashutosh (IBN 7), NQ Naqvi (Aaj Tak), Satish K Singh (Zee News) and Annie Joseph, secretary general of the News Broadcasters Association.

    Interestingly, India TV was not present, though the sources said that they had asked to be included in any committee that works on this. “They have said they would like to be part of the process because their content has come in for sharp criticism, so they will be with us.”

    (It may be recalled that during the NT Summit organised by Indiantelevision.com in Delhi in July, India TV had been hugely criticised by both NDTV and CNN IBN for showing what they termed ‘entertainment, not news’, for showing superstitious and violent footage.)

    The meeting, held on Monday, also discussed the issue of broad-basing the process.

    “We need credibility, because tomorrow the government might say that this is a grouping of a handful of Delhi editors, so we are looking into how to bring all the channels across the country into the loop,” a senior official told indiantelevision.com.

    The official said also that the Code could be made effective only if this inclusive process is complete.

    There were discussions on how to create an agency and develop a mechanism for the implementation of the Code, and issues of penalties for violation.

    “Without an agency mechanism in place, there cannot be implementation, so we need these, but these are issue which would be looked into once the draft is sent around and discussed,” the sources added.

    That draft would be prepared in consultation with a legal expert, it was revealed.

    How would the Code be made binding? That has not been discussed yet, the sources said.

    However, another issue discussed was whether the implementing agency would have in it just journalists or some eminent persons too, to give it greater credibility.

    It is possible that an ombudsman kind of agency on the lines of the Advertising Agencies Council of India is developed.

    “The ASCI is a good model for us to follow,” the sources said.