-Live Mint
JSPL had filed an FIR alleging attempts at extortion by Zee to stop unfavourable coverage
The executive committee of the Broadcast Editors Association has agreed to set up a three-member fact-finding committee to look into allegations against Zee News Ltd by the Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL).
JSPL, run by Congress MP Jindal, filed a first information report (FIR) with the crime branch of Delhi Police on 2 October alleging attempts at extortion in return for stopping unfavourable stories being telecast by the news channels in the Zee stable.
Zee has denied any attempt at extortion occurred.
A Zee group official, who declined to be named, said the broadcasting company had not seen a copy of the complaint yet. “We can decide the future course of action only after we see the complaint. Whether we will file a counter FIR or take some other step remains to be seen,” he said.
The company is likely to issue a press statement soon, he said.
JSPL has been embroiled in the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in coal block allocation.
The Broadcast Editors’ Association called an emergency meeting of the executive committee on Wednesday as it felt the allegations were serious.
The fact-finding committee comprises N. K. Singh (BEA general secretary), Rahul Kanwal (managing editor, Headlines Today) and Dibang (member, BEA). It will look into the circumstances that led to the filing of the FIR and into whether any norms were ignored. The committee will submit its report in two weeks.
The committee also asked the editor of the channel in question to explain his position, according to a release issued by BEA, which said it took suo moto cognizance of news reports as it seeks to ensure high ethical standards in the electronic media.