The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has issued a stern warning to NDTV regarding its use of the term “thook jihad” in connection with a recent broadcast. This caution comes in response to a viewer complaint about the channel’s coverage of a controversial incident involving spitting on food, which many found to be an overly generalized and harmful portrayal.
The incident in question dates back to December 2024 and involved a widely circulated video from Meerut, where an individual was seen preparing rotis while allegedly spitting on them. The term “thook jihad” was used in the report, which raised concerns about suggesting that such acts were commonplace across multiple locations. Advocate Utkarsh Mishra, who filed the complaint, argued that the description was misleading and contributed to a communal narrative surrounding the incident.
Mishra’s complaint highlighted that labeling the act as “thook jihad” not only sensationalized the behavior of a single individual but also invoked a communal connotation that could incite tensions. He stated that the use of the term “jihad” in this context violates the NBDSA’s guidelines aimed at preventing the portrayal of crimes in a manner that fosters communal discord or hate speech.
In addition to the use of the term, Mishra pointed out that the broadcast featured an interview with the alleged perpetrator, which was misleadingly presented as if it were part of a police investigation. Mishra contended that the portrayal was not only incomplete but also potentially damaging, as it misrepresented the relationship between crime and community identity.
In response to the complaint, NDTV defended its reporting practices but faced the NBDSA’s scrutiny regarding the ethical implications of their coverage. The regulator’s intervention underscores the responsibility of news outlets to report on sensitive issues with care, particularly in a diverse society like India, where communal tensions can easily be exacerbated by careless language.
This incident serves as a reminder of the media’s role in shaping public perception. The use of charged terminology can sensationalize events and lead to a distortion of facts, which ultimately undermines the trust and integrity of journalism. News organizations are encouraged to prioritize accuracy and sensitivity in their reporting, especially when discussing topics that intersect with communal identities.
