News Broadcasters Association hails SC order for reporting responsibly on COVID

A day after the Supreme Court’s directive that the media should report responsibly and weed out any “fake news” in social media while telecasting news on the coronavirus crisis the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) on Wednesday (April 1) welcomed the order.

In a statement issued by its president Rajat Sharma, the NBA said it is also pleased to learn that a daily bulletin by the government through all media avenues, including social media and forums, will be made available to clear the doubts of people.

“This would help media immensely to clarify the doubts and enable them to do accurate reporting,” the statement said.

The NBA welcomed the Supreme Court order dated March 31 and agreed that the media should report responsibly and weed out any fake news in social media while telecasting news on the coronavirus crisis.

The NBA appreciates that the apex court has acknowledged the freedom of the press and has stated that it does not intend to interfere with the free discussion, debate, and coverage about the pandemic, the statement said.

Related news: COVID-19: SC asks Centre to swiftly set up portal to curb fake news

Notably, the Central government in a status report filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday sought its directions for media houses not to publish, print or telecast anything without first confirming it from the concerned authorities.

Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in India surged to 1,637 after 240 new cases were reported in the country, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies.)