GECs
NBSA hauls up news channels; fines them, demands apology
MUMBAI: The News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) has issued a missive to New Delhi Television Ltd’s English and Hindi language news channels NDTV 24×7 and NDTV India to apologize on air for a news report they aired in October 2015.
The report is related to the lynching of a man in Nahan, Shimla. The two channels had blamed the lynching on specific religious groups, naming them in their headlines.
A detailed order issued by justice R.V. Raveendran, chairperson of the authority, said, “NBSA decided that the broadcaster (both channels) be directed to air its regret/apology for attributing the lynching to some named religious groups, apparently without verification of facts.”
Both the channels have been asked to air the apology before 25 July prior to their 9 pm news.
In another order, the NBSA asked News24 to submit an expression of regret and assure that it would adhere to the principles of self-regulation after it felt that one of its programmes on allegations against functionaries of a political party did not adhere to the norms related to objectivity.
Of these three one agreed to indiantelevision.com that it would abide by the NBSA’s order. News24 editor in chief Anuradha Prasad said, “We will abide by NSBA’s guidelines and will have a scroll running on our channel.”
Attempts to connect with NDTV met with no response. But one can expect it to run an apology.
Other channels also got a rap on their knuckles and were asked to say sorry. ETV Chhattisgarh had run a programme titled Vampires which was found violative of the norms. The NSBA has imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine on ETV Bangla and asked it to display apology after it felt that its coverage of an incident in Jadavpur University flouted the norms related to impartiality and objectivity. NBSA has asked ETV UP/Uttarakhand to run an apology and air versions of some persons regarding whom news reports had been telecast.
GECs
Asianet Television Awards 2026 celebrates women power in Malayalam TV
“She is the Colour” theme honours icons as ceremony airs on March 14 and 15 at 7 PM.
MUMBAI: If television lights up living rooms, this year Asianet decided to let women provide the colour. The Asianet Television Awards 2026 turned the spotlight firmly on women empowerment with the theme “She is the Colour”, celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of women who continue to shape society and the Malayalam entertainment industry.
The ceremony honoured several distinguished personalities whose journeys have left a lasting cultural imprint. Among them was legendary playback singer Vimala Varma, widely recognised as the first Malayalam playback singer. The evening also paid tribute to Padma Shri awardees Devaki Amma and Vimala Menon for their exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
Leading women from the Malayalam film industry were also recognised during the event, including actor Shweta Menon, who currently serves as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, and National Award winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi.
The awards ceremony brought together a glittering lineup of actors and industry figures, including Jayasurya, Vijay Babu, Asha Sarath, Lena, Esther Anil, Anumol, Akhila Bhargavan, Sarayu Mohan, Prajod Kalabhavan, Gayathri Suresh, Sabumon Abdusamad, Swasika, Tini Tom, Sijoy Varghese, Kailash, Veena Nandakumar, Sabareesh Varma, Ansiba Hassan and Dinesh Prabhakar. Kishan Kumar, executive vice president Malayalam at JioStar, was also present at the event.
Beyond individual recognitions, the awards celebrated excellence across Malayalam television, acknowledging artists and technicians whose work continues to drive the industry forward.
The evening also offered plenty of spectacle, with elaborate dance performances, stunt acts and comedy skits performed by popular television and film personalities, turning the ceremony into a full fledged entertainment showcase.
Viewers will get to watch the celebrations when the Asianet Television Awards 2026 air on Asianet on March 14 and 15, Saturday and Sunday, from 7 pm onwards, bringing the star studded tribute to homes across Kerala and beyond.
