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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
New Delhi: News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) has slammed the decision taken by the INDI alliance to boycott 14 anchors.
The statement by NBDA, states, “News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) is deeply anguished and concerned by the decision taken by the I.N.D.I.A media committee not to send their representatives on the shows and events hosted by certain journalists/anchors. The decision taken by the I.N.D.I.A Media Committee sets a dangerous precedent.”
The NBDA has also accused the Opposition parties of raising a false bogey of claims to democracy, pluralism and free speech. It said, “The ban on representatives of the opposition alliance from participating in TV news shows anchored by some of India’s top TV news personalities goes against the ethos of democracy. It betokens intolerance and imperils press freedom.”
“The opposition alliance claims to be the champion of pluralism and a free press, but its decision betrays callous disregard for democracy’s most fundamental tenet- the inalienable right to openly express ideas and opinions,” said the statement.
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The association has also taken a dig at the decision by saying “The boycott of certain journalists/anchors takes the nation back to Emergency era, where the press was gagged, and independent opinions and voices were crushed.”
The decision to boycott the 14 anchors from various channels like Aaj Tak, Republic world and Times Now among others.
NBDA urged the alliance to withdraw the decision as it would stifle freedom of speech and expression.
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It said, “NBDA urges the opposition alliance to withdraw its decision of boycotting certain journalists and anchors as such a decision would amount to browbeating journalists and stifling freedom of speech and expression of the media.’”
Speaking about the decision, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, who released the list, said, “Today, we took a decision. Some anchors have been marked and their shows and events will be boycotted. We do not want to legitimize this hate-filled narrative which is corroding our society.”
“With a heavy heart, we have taken this decision. We are not opposed to any of these anchors. We don’t hate any of these anchors. But we love our country more. We love our Bharat” he further added.
