Zee News fined ₹2 lakh for ‘inflammatory’ AMU protest coverage, asked to pull down content within seven days

According to a recent order from the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA), the Indian news channel Zee News has been fined ₹2 lakh for its coverage of a student-led protest at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The regulatory body determined that the broadcast in question, which aired in August of last year, contained inflammatory content that violated broadcasting standards.

The NBDSA order, which was officially passed on September 11, follows a complaint filed by viewers regarding the tone and accuracy of the channel's reporting on the campus demonstrations. In its ruling, the Authority directed the broadcaster to remove the offending content from all digital platforms within seven days of the order's issuance. The decision underscores the NBDSA's ongoing role in monitoring televised news content for adherence to ethical guidelines and public interest standards.

This development comes amidst broader discussions in India regarding the responsibility of news media in covering sensitive campus and political events. While Zee News has not yet issued a public statement regarding the fine, the NBDSA's directive serves as a formal reprimand for the specific editorial choices made during the August coverage. The authority has emphasized that media outlets must maintain objectivity and avoid inciting communal or social tensions during their reporting.