In view of the sudden cardiac arrest of Mr Rajiv Tyagi during a debate show few days, a delegation of Congress leaders on Wednesday moved the ‘News Broadcasting Standards Authority’ (NBSA) and asked for an advisory to be issued on television channels to implement a code of conduct regarding ‘sensational’ debates. They have vehemently opposed the natures of debates happening in media today.

Congress accused that Media houses, anchors and spokespersons must be held accountable for their actions and conduct. The delegation included senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress Secretary Pranav Jha, and spokesman Jaiveer Shergill. The delegation also demanded that media groups, journalists, anchors, and spokespersons be held accountable for their behavior.

According to NBSA guidelines, dated December 13, 2012, there is an obligation on all media houses to ensure that their programmes do not become a platform to spread acrimony and hatred. The News Broadcaster’s Association holds the authority to ensure compliance with its guidelines and instructions.

Jaiveer Shergill wrote a letter to Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar last Thursday, urging that a consultation be issued to implement the code of conduct with a view to restoring ‘decency’ in the debate-based programs of news channels.

The Congress’ demand for action against “toxic” TV debates. The Congress is demanding a code of conduct when Congress national spokesperson Rajiv Tyagi recently died of a heart attack. Tyagi was involved in a debate based program of a television channel on Wednesday evening and he suffered a heart attack shortly after the program. A few minutes later, he died in a hospital in Ghaziabad.