Airtime given to parties not balanced, EC tells DD News

NEW DELHI: The EC on Monday said the airtime coverage given by Doordarshan News channel to various political parties following announcement of general election on March 10 was “disproportionate and not balanced” and asked the state broadcaster to desist from extending preferential airtime coverage in favour of any party.

EC’s comments, made in a letter to I&B secretary, followed after DG Doordarshan News forwarded to it details of airtime coverage given by DD News channel to news pertaining to different political parties since the model code of code was enforced. The letter, dated March 5, stated that BJP had got the maximum coverage on DD News and its regional channels during the current election.

EC, while noting that disproportionate airtime to political parties on DD News was not in accordance with the principle of maintaining neutrality and level playing field and also against the spirit of model code of conduct, said that officials, anchors and moderators of channels present on TV shows and debates may be advised not to exhibit any bias, prejudice or slant in their reporting.