Broadcast of 'Nirbhaya' documentary should be allowed: BEA

The Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) on Saturday demanded that the ban on documentary based on the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape by the BBC should be lifted, saying that the government's decision to prohibit its broadcasting hinders freedom of expression.

"BEA trusts in country's law and constitution. It was born to oversee that freedom of expression is not hindered. BEA is of opinion that this film shouldn't be stopped, it should be allowed to be broadcasted. But if the film discloses the identity of the rape victim then it would be wrong. Apart from that the government should allow the broadcast of the documentary," BEA general secretary N K Singh said.

"Any country which honours freedom of expression will not ban such documentaries. In America a documentary was made on sex abuse in their military, the government did not ban it," she added.

India's Daughter', the documentary based on the 2012 Delhi gang-rape, has been aired by the despite the government's embargo on the same.

The Union Home Ministry had earlier on Wednesday asked the media not to broadcast the BBC's documentary India's Daughter', based on the 2012 Delhi gang-rape .

A Delhi court had also restrained the media from publishing, broadcasting, telecasting or uploading the interview on the internet.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry had also issued a media advisory on the issue.