The media called the doctor about the death of a patient but the doctor avoided talking to the media. The story was published without the doctor’s version

If a doctor refuses to face the media, then the media can publish or broadcast the patient’s version and can mention that the doctor or the hospital refused to give any comments. If a negative story appears in the print/electronic media, a doctor must immediately protest and insist that his/her version must also appear in a subsequent story as follow-up. If the media fails to do so, the doctor can file a complaint against them with the appropriate authority and can even send them a defamation notice.

The media has the duty to put forward the views of both the parties. They cannot give a one-sided story.

Section 499 IPC states - Defamation. "Whoever, by words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations, makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person, is said, except in the cases hereinafter expected, to defame that person."