National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of reports regarding the publication of allegedly defamatory content about folk singer Neha Singh Rathore by a news channel. Following public criticism, the news network reportedly acknowledged that the report was factually incorrect and issued an apology. 

 

The NCW Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, has asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to direct the concerned regulatory bodies, such as the Press Council of India, and self-regulatory bodies of the media industry, such as the News Broadcasters and Digital Association, and the Digital Publishers Content Grievance to ensure immediate and time-bound action under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The Commission has also sought an Action Taken Report from the Ministry within 15 days and called for safeguards against gender-based character assassination and digital harassment against women.