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Acting on a complaint filed by Congress member of Parliament Naveen Jindal, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday asked the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) to take appropriate action against Zee News.
Jindal had approached the EC on Tuesday requesting it to restrain Zee News and Zee Business from broadcasting “false, defamatory and misleading news items” against him and his company.
In his complaint, Jindal said Zee News had breached the EC’s code of conduct and attempted to damage his reputation. He alleged that after the model code of conduct had come into effect, Zee News and the group’s other channels telecast 85 stories targeting him and his group.
Referring to a March 7 Zee News programme titled, “In Bhilwada, the mine allotted to JSPL will be cancelled”, Jindal said in his complaint: “This is a completely false and mischievous story as no mine has been allotted to JSPL (Jindal Steel and Power Ltd) in Bhilwada in Rajasthan.”
The Zee group had on Wednesday issued a clarification, saying: “Zee News covered an incident of a heated conversation between Naveen Jindal and a local craftsman, when he confronted Jindal for non-fulfilment of the promises made by him and his non-accessibility to the people of his constituency.
Not only this, the bodyguards of Naveen Jindal intervened and created a ruckus when the local people were trying to question Jindal about the issues and problems prevalent in the area and remain unattended for the last so many years.”
Alok Agrawal, CEO of Zee Media Corporation, said: “We, at Zee News, are committed towards our viewers and as a responsible news channel, it is our duty to showcase the actual news, as it is. Despite having confrontations with some large business conglomerates, we maintain the highest journalistic ethics by providing the most authentic news. We fear none, as our team comprises the best talent that maintains the highest standard of professionalism. In the past, we have received numerous awards and accolades for our various path-breaking initiatives from various organisations, including the Election Commissioner of India for our special series Aapki Vote, Aapki Taqat.”
