The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) has concluded that no "impropriety" was committed by news channels in broadcasting news related to the alleged role of Kunda MLA and Uttar Pradesh Minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya in the DSP Zia-ul-Haque murder case.
The NBSA acted on a complaint by Lucknow based social activist Nutan Thakur, who had alleged that the coverage of the case involved "trial by media and pre-determining the actions to be taken by law enforcement agencies."
Mr. Singh, who >resigned as a minister in the wake of the allegations, was given a >clean chit by the CBI and was recently re-inducted into the Akhilesh Yadav cabinet. In a written response, NBSA secretary general Annie Joseph informed the complainant that the response of the four broadcasters was considered, and that "no further action needs to be taken" in this matter.
In her complaint, Dr. Thakur had made references to various headlines in the broadcast of the case: “Will Raja Bhaiya Be Arrested?”; “Who is saving Raja Bhaiya?"; “Why is Raja not being arrested?”
Dr. Thakur, who contends that the reporting was not based on facts but speculation, going against unbiased reporting, said she would chase the matter further.
