Archive · 23 Jan 2026
NBDSA Orders Highlight Communal Harmony Violations
The News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has issued many orders against TV and digital news channels for breaking rules about communal harmony.
Over the past three years, nearly 60% of their orders were about programs that used words or ideas that could cause tension between different religious groups.
For example, some shows talked about 'love jihad' or 'land jihad,' which the NBDSA said was unfair and not based on good evidence.
The NBDSA mostly asked the channels to remove the offending content, but they rarely fined the channels.
It took a long time, about 11-12 months, to make these decisions, which meant the bad content stayed online for a while.
The NBDSA has rules to make sure news is fair and doesn't hurt people's feelings, but some people think they should punish bad behavior more strictly.
The media's focus on sensationalism and competition is causing more division and reducing trust in the news.
Nearly 60% of NBDSA orders in the past three years were against programs violating communal harmony.
Of 54 orders, 32 cases involved religious stereotypes, such as 'jihad' used in various contexts.
The NBDSA primarily directed content removal, with only six instances of financial penalties totaling Rs 3.2 lakh.
Average delay in issuing orders was 11-12 months, leaving offending content in the public domain.
Times Now Navbharat, News18 India, and Zee News were among the channels with the most orders for content removal.
- Who
- News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA)
- What
- Issued orders against TV and digital news broadcasters for violating communal harmony and other ethical breaches
- When
- From January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enforce the Code of Ethics and broadcasting guidelines for communal harmony and other ethical standards
Media Responsibility Advocates
Competitive News Channels
Role of Media
Media Responsibility Advocates
Media should uphold ethical standards and avoid sensationalism to maintain public trust and democratic values.
Competitive News Channels
Channels prioritize viewership and competition, often resorting to extreme and divisive content to stand out.
- Orders Issued
- 54
- Orders Against Communal Harmony Breaches
- 32
- Total Penalties Imposed
- 43
- Content Removal Orders
- 37
- Financial Penalties Imposed
- 6
- Highest Penalty
- Rs 1 lakh
- Average Delay in Orders
- 11-12 months
- NBDSA Members
- 9 (4 independent, 4 editor, 1 chair)
