The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has informed the Supreme Court that it has issued an order of “caution” against Sudarshan TV for its “UPSC Jihad” show, as it finds various utterances and audio-visual content of the show “are not in good taste, offensive and has the likelihood of promoting communal attitudes”.
After taking into account written and oral submissions of the channel, the Ministry, in the order, said that it is “of the opinion that while freedom of speech of expression is a fundamental right, the tone and tenor of the episodes telecast do indicate that the channel has, through various utterances and audio-visual content, breached the Programme Code”.
The ministry, in an order passed on November 4, cautioned Sudarshan TV warning if any violation of the Programme Code is found in the future, stricter penal action would be taken.
A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud will take up the hearing in the matter on Friday.
The ministry recommended the TV channel should review the content of the future episodes of the programme “Bindas Bol – UPSC Jihad”, and the audio-visual content should be suitably moderated and modified. It has said the manner in which the channel has gone about its exposition, including its comments on the selection process, examination system of civil services, portrays one community and the UPSC in poor light, and the channel could have avoided it.
The ministry said the issue of alleged terror links of Zakat Foundation, which raised in the shows, and the alleged source of funding is a highly disputed matter of fact, which require a full investigation of evidence to adjudicate the veracity or falsity of the claim made in the programme.
On October 5, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that the Inter-Ministerial Committee, in its recommendation, has given certain additional recommendations in connection with channel’s programme “UPSC Jihad”. It also said it is duty-bound to give one more opportunity to the news channel to make a representation following these recommendations.
On September 23, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court it has prima facie found that the news channel programme with title UPSC Jihad has violated the Programme Code, and as a result, a detailed show-cause notice has been issued to the channel to explain why action should not be taken against it.
The top court had on September 15 passed on order injuncting the remaining episodes of the TV show, and the stay continues to remain in operation. Four episodes of the planned 10 episodes have been broadcast so far.
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