New Delhi: The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) Sunday accused Republic TV of “misrepresentation”, after the Arnab Goswami-led channel quoted a communication from the viewership-tracking agency to claim it was innocent of malpractice in the Television Rating Points (TRP) scam.
Republic TV is one of three channels — the other two are Marathi-language Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema — that are being investigated by the Mumbai Police for allegedly manipulating viewership ratings to boost their advertising revenue. The Mumbai Police has arrested six persons in the case, including the owners of Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema.
However, Republic TV claims the Mumbai Police is levelling allegations against it as a “desperate measure”, because of its reportage on certain cases, such as the Palghar lynching and actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.
In a statement issued on Twitter Sunday afternoon, Republic TV cited an “official email” from BARC and claimed that “there is not a single complaint or malpractice found against Republic TV, Republic Bharat or any other affiliate of the News Network”.
It claimed that a BARC email to Republic Media Network Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani “specifically confirms that there is no malpractice by the network”.
#RepublicExposesParamBir | News Release: With the BARC email in public, the fake news-based campaign against Republic Media Network led by Mumbai Police Commissioner comes to an end pic.twitter.com/UEgGuIxeeC
— Republic (@republic) October 18, 2020
“With the disclosure of BARC, the fake news-based campaign against Republic led by Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh comes to an end,” the statement added.
Hours later, BARC issued a statement saying it is “dismayed at misrepresentation of its communication by Republic Network”. The council added that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and that it is providing necessary assistance to the law enforcement agency.
“BARC India is highly disappointed with the actions of the Republic Network by disclosing private and confidential communications and misrepresenting the same,” it said.
“BARC India reiterates that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and without prejudice to BARC India’s rights, it expresses its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network,” it added.
With the emergence of the TRP scam raising questions over the viewership ratings released by BARC every week, the council decided earlier this week to suspend the release of individual ratings for channels in the news genre pending a review of the process.
Also Read: Arnab Goswami vs rest: How TRPs can be fixed, and why TV news is caught in a vicious fight
Republic moves Bombay High Court
Apart from posting the tweet, Republic also published on its website an article titled “BARC Email Shreds Param Bir Singh’s TRP Case Lies Against Republic; False Campaign Exposed”.
According to the report, BARC’s email dated 17 October said that “if there was any disciplinary action initiated against ARG Outlier Media Private Ltd (which owns Republic TV), then BARC India would have communicated the same to you along with necessary documents for your response”.
Relying on this purported sentence, the article concluded, “Thus, this email proves that BARC did not allege any malpractice against the Republic Media Network, and yet, the Mumbai Police commissioner floated a factually-bereft campaign against it, which has been comprehensively exposed at every turn.”
Meanwhile, ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd and Republic Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami moved the Bombay High Court Friday, seeking to quash the FIR lodged against the channel in the case. The plea also demands transfer of the investigation from the Mumbai Police Crime Branch to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
This was after the Supreme Court Thursday refused to entertain a similar petition and directed the Republic Media Group to approach the high court instead.
Also Read: ‘Vendetta or witch hunt’ — Republic TV ‘fake TRP’ probe opens another front in BJP-MVA fight
I see 2 groups of people here,
Ones who have facts
And the ones demeaning Arnab
Makes it clear for all.
Print, you’ve become a joke because of your extremely evident bias.
Arnab must be arrested now that BARC has clarified. ARG outlier has really loved up to its name with outright lies. Arnab must be banned by all media houses.
Is the item reported even worthy of being called News? Arnab did something, then Mumbai police did something, now BARC has done something and Arnab is using it to prove his “innocence”.
Now in all this, how does it effect the common man? If at all, it effects corporate stupids, who depend on TRP to decide on how much advertising money to spend on which channel.
Stop this nonsense propoganda either for or against the govt., govt’s friends or govt’s enemys. Show/report news that make a difference to the life of the common man.
Talk about
1. Economy. Many healthy people have committed suicide due to job loss. Yet only corona related deaths are reported, probably to scare people and “justify” govt. action.
2. High cost of health care. Why are people forced to go for private healthcare and health insurance? Why aren’t there good govt. hospitals?
3. High cost of education.
4. Poor condition of living of general population and what little govt. is doing for them.
5. Poor infrastructure. With the current quality of infrastructure, “Make on India” can go for a hike, as transporting the item from one place to another will cost as much as making it. At that high cost how will you sell or export?
But reporting on all this suits/helps no one’s agenda.
Basically all news outlets should be stopped. Only DD reports items that is meaningful or makes a difference to the common man.
BARC obviously is saying so under pressure from the mum po. What are they disappointed with? That he went to town saying they have no complaint on him!!?? Should he have hidden it and gloated privately on it?
Its obviously mum pol who are disappointed! And they are forcing BARC to say it!
Justice and truth dies everytime someone gives in to power pressure!
Republic news goes with the saying,,, Barking dogs never bite,,,, Andwa Goo Swami is the same,, cheapest channel,, fake news,, hype and maliced,, should be shut down
Print is very good in analysing scientific facts of serious issues like Covid etc but it’s highly biased when it comes to political & social matters related of the nation and always represents one side rather than the whole picture.
Republic news by Arnav is only louder shots? of shoutout, India wants to know like that…..
It’s like saying,, jootko bolnewale chillata zoorsey, chiketa hua, bolta sunu sunosuno.
Change in his attitude towards➡➡ News representing Will be appreciated?
How manipulative can you get “The Print” ??
Abb toh sudhar jaooo… how long will you make fool of people with your little bird brain developed write ups?.
Stop thinking that the readers are idiots.
Unsubscribing you !!
Fed up of the contradicting news every day. Every print and electronic media has got its own agenda. No one is there to give true news to the public. Media is taking its readers and viewers for a ride, politicians are taking the voters for a ride and government machineries are taking the citizens for a ride. Poor Indians. Fed up with the whole system. No course correction in any of the above is goin to happen. At last winners are wealthy mighty and powerful.
Your news is visibly biased. Please don’t make your intentions clear while reporting news. Your maturity will be applauded more if you report the full picture.
Your journalism standards are so poor..its shocking!!! You should rename yourself as the The Misprint !!!
You stop your propaganda and stop taking joy in somebody’s misery, falsely implicated by mumbai police. You can be the next…
This is called political power and political gaming. See the political will to finish up any news agency. First TRP case and now BARC, next don’t know?
I do not understand how selective reporting can be good journalism.
When a single person and his channel is targeted and that too when it is not named in the FIR and BARC mail is not saying your channel is under investigation, what is secretive.
The affected channel has to expose the true faces of not only the politicians, Mumbai police but all you media also.
Sorry The Print has lost its credibility of being a follower of good journalism.
The Print is one of the most biased news agency. When it comes to fair representation of a case The Print always fails to show the whole picture. Why did you fail to cover the fine imposed on India Today?
How about fake story peddled by NDTV on Gandhidham incident of Tanishq showroom?
FIR was against India Today, Hansa report found india Today guilty for malpractice. But they chose to target republic tv. For simple reason they do not want their dirt should come out in public
Ya true all powerfull authorities are above them to force n change the statement to hide their crimes how worst it is n showing how authorities is only doing for their self n bhaad me jaye Janta n also prove some involvement in on going cases .
Print always has been at forefront of true journalism and propogandist channels like Republic must be shutdown
All Arnab Goswami does is shout shout and shout, and call it interview.
People who watch him everyday gonna get BP for sure ?
This article is height of hypocrisy. I had lot of respect for THE PRINT. I lost it
You proved it again that the media channels like you can go to any extend to take someone like republic media down. Instead of revealing the truth about other more important issues you have so much time to focus on useless things like taking down the other channels. If keeping your ego aside, you would have focussed on the truth, we ‘the common people of India’ would have assured you to take your channel on hike. But the media channels like ‘The Print’ is a huge disappointment for us. Very disappointed…
You proved it again that the media channels like you can go to any extend to take someone like republic media down. Instead of revealing the truth about other more important issues you have so much time to focus on useless things like taking down the other channels. If keeping your ego aside, you would have focussed on the truth, we ‘the common people of India’ would have assured you to take your channel on hike. But the media channels like ‘The Print’ is a huge disappointment for us. Very disappointed…
Well, it is straight common sense, Mumbai police is investigating TRP scam case against Republic TV based on a complaint from franchise which has mentioned some other channel in their FIR.So, either Barc should come out and confirm whether Republic TV’s name was mentioned or not… Unless that happens, Republic’s action stands vindicated.At same time The one sided coverage of this news my The Print who claimed to be a patron of fair journalism raised eyebrows…
Why spreading fake news about Republic TV?
Whom do you want to fool? Public is not blind.
Good one
Good reply. This is best news agency for such news
When there is clear evidence that in BARC email nothing mentioned about Republic channel then why BARC has taken a uturn and critisiing the channel for misinterpretation. It is really a matter of thorough investigation by CBI but not by the Mumbai police as every individual of this country has lost faith on Mumbai police.
I don’t know why I keep getting these useless notifications from print, quint and the Wire. The whole India know you 3 run propaganda.
It is because they pay Google to spread their reach… And hence you recieve the Print, the Wire notification but don’t receive OP India notifications.
It’s sickening that portals like the print are still into existence even after repeated attempts of bringing down people who speak up for justice of innocents by state machinery. Portals like yall propagating false narratives. BARC maintained their stance on the email, didn’t change their version however they aren’t happy their email is made public. That’s it!
It’s sickening that portals like the print are still into existence even after repeated attempts of bringing down people who speak up for justice of innocents by state machinery. Portals like yall propagating false narratives. BARC maintained their stance on the email, didn’t change their version however they aren’t happy their email is made public. That’s it!
Republic news are headache. Earlier it were comedy..It never shows news..
And brilliant speed of comment removal
Yes
I was reading this article by chance then I guessed the language and bingo, was from print..no need to read it further!
Disappointed with the focus and direction of this article . The moot point is BARC had named India Today and not Republic in the report & Mumbai police commissioner is gone or of his way to hide the original FiR and go against Republic . And looks like rest of the media especially the left leaning one’s are trying desperately to gang up against Republic like vultures. If this is going to be the trend then it’s easy to say that unbiased/ center leaning reporting is dead and nationalists will stick to the right leaning media .
Shekhar gupta the he is a stooge of the congress and also a corrupt man out rightly. Vicious lies and fake news champion and anti India propaganda is his daily bread and butter. No surprise he has ganged up with India today and other fake media news channels against Republic TV. Shameless man he is.
Even without such an e mail from BARC one was fairly certain that the police was investigating the alleged scam under pressure from the corrupt and treacherous ruling dispensation. And if my sixth sense is to be believed, Udhav is to Sharad Pawar as Man Mohan Singh was to Sonia. Now, even the repuation of BARC and Print are suspect. BARC has never disputed the e mail. And what is there to interpret in the e mail than what Arnab has interpreted? And this is what makes Arnab more reliable than others of his genre.
Law enforcement authorities must investigate Arnab for his wrong doings in his Republic TV that will be lesson to all Godi Media. Central Government comeout with clear explanation and truth of Republic Tv bias as Prahlad Joshi openly criticised mumbai police and taking action agaist Mumbai Police.
Arnab and his dancing reporters made hell out in his Media reporting. Only talking about his tv with his hench penalists. Where we are heading although we have plenty of news for reporting.
Then why don’t you call for CBI to investigate the case, and not mumbai police? It think CBI is more independent that the state police.
The stand taken by BARC cannot be justified. That the e-mail was sent, in whatever capacity, has not been denied by them. though the language used in the e-mail is ambiguous,. It says ; “If there was any disciplinary action initiated against ARG Outlier Media Private Ltd (which owns Republic TV), then BARC India would have communicated the same to you along with necessary documents for your response”.Now , what is this language? If BARC has something against the Republic , it should say so directly and communicate to the Republic with necessary documents. . Since there is no such communication so far, the Republic is entitled to interpret this as they did and this can definitely be used as a valid evidence in the Court of Law. I do consider the content of the Republc Channel of extremely poor quality; the high decibel debates carried out on the channel are comic . While this may be so, the Mumbai police cannot target the employees of the channel in this manner. This does remind us of the emergency days. If the channel has flouted some laws, prosecute them. But arresting journalists and reporters and holding them in police station for hours is not appropriate. Mr. Arnab Goswami has antagonized the entire electronic news media due his arrogant language. But Arnab Goswami, the person, is not the issue here. The freedom of the news media is. The rival news channels cannot simply watch in silence.For Times Now, Arnab was a hero till he was with them, now he has turned out to be a villain. This is duplicity.
What republic was doing all the time showing illogical news giving justice to SSR & kangana was correct, their correcpondents following rhea like dogs was absolutely perfect right….karma is a bitch
Your brainwashed mind is saying this,think it logically dude. Why everyone is targeting them? Just think about it .
True, I have never seen any government so concerned about media. Nobody goes to this extent unless their kids are tangled into the case.
Can’t expect any other coment fr you
The owner of this media house give lecture on freedom of speech and expression…!
Many articles off late by your team are biased and targeted to a specific lobby. It’s unfortunate thag you request people to support your journalism to get fair india stories while your actions yourselves are contrary to that. Unfortunate decline of journalism.
The Print is also loaded with its own agenda. Shekhar Gupta literally hates BJP and has been blind supporter of Congress. Therefore we can’t support such a biased journalist.
The Print is also loaded with its own agenda. Shekhar Gupta literally hates BJP and has been blind supporter of Congress. Therefore we can’t support such a biased journalist.
The print is known for biased reports and fake stories. Always had a pinch of anti-national agenda and part of the lutyen media which is deprived of its morsel from the govt money which they were used to in Congress era and hence the entire pack is hauling at Arnab as he exposed them all. Shame on Print and Shame on all other media channels who for their selfish reason has sold their logic and become blind in jealousy. More power to Arnab Goswamy – you’re the Man. Fear not, country is with you !!!
How come India Today listed in FIR, Hansa Report did not spark similar enthusiasm. Making Arnab run from pole to pillars to prove that he is innocent so that his group doesn’t cover news like Hathras and Palghar and others like Bihar elections? Great. You would be loved if you treated even your rival with ‘objectivity’ like Rama during his fight with Ravana. Don’t peddle news where you combust under your own karma. God bless you to have the courage to Print the truth about news.
Everyone knows Arnab Goswami is a disgrace to media houses. When BJP became stronger he unofficially became their spokesperson. If tomorrow it’s another strong party he’ll be a good sycophant for them as well
This is not the issue here. It’s about freedom of media… If your kid is not involved in the case then why are you so desperate to stop a channel? Even going to the extent of filing fake cases and summoning day and night to hamper reporting… This smells like the state government and Police is deeply involved in the case.
STINKING LEFTISTS GO SILENT WHEN THINGS HAPPEN IN FAVOUR OF ARNAB, GET ACTIVATED WHEN THINGS GO AGAINST HIM. THIS ATTITUDE YOU LEFTISTS HAD FROM 1990S AND THIS HAS GIVEN RISEE TO ARNAB
I feel Republic journos should be imprisoned along with SSR’s family.
Republic wasted people time and made such fake news believable. I had a friend who worked in Republic and he was telling me that Arnab is so pro-BJP that he didn’t take funds from other parties hiring elections.
There are pro government and anti government channels in media. India Today is pro Congressi… Would you recommend them jail too? If not then you are the hipocrite here.
Your so called best journalism is selective. Why are you not mentioning India Today and Aajtak name ? Why the article is showing Republic tv in bad light whereas no question on Mumbai Police intentions? Is questioning not part of your Best Journalism?? Something called balancing ??
They bark ‘we have the right to question the government’ when only the government is BJP. When it becomes Congress or communists, they are like ‘what is questioning? I’ve never heard of it’…
What Republic said is true , the email mentioned no wrong doing from Republi, then why it’s crying, because BARC chairperson Seema Mustafa is from The Wire , anti India digital paper and secretary from The caravan one more Muslim paper .
You are a deshdrohi who support deshdrohi Arnab.
Arnab is Deshadrohi…. haha ha haa…. joke of the century…. Print is a biased psuedo lutyens media organization working overnight with congress and other antinationals.
Ram are you so butthurt from the exposure that to counter the facts you have to rely on calling people deshdrohi. Now recently Congress neta Chidambaram appreciated the Gupkar meeting of deshdrohis. That is why Congress people keep on calling others deshdrohi to divert people’s attention from their own deshdrohi deeds.
One thing has become very clear in this TRP scandal. Mr. Arun Purie, Mr. Rahul Kanwal and Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai have lost their credibility as journalists. The cheap behaviour displayed against another news network is shameful indeed.
Truth be told, Mr. Arnab Goswami seems to have emerged stronger from this incident.
It is evident that neither BARC nor the Mumbai Police has been transparent in their deeds. Both seem to be in cahoots along with certain media houses and are determined to bring down Mr. Goswami.
The Print has reported very sparingly on this topic as it does not wish its colleagues in the industry by standing up for the truth and speaking boldly. However, the anti-Goswami tinge is evident in the reportage.
Lol
Desperate Ram loling around
Loved the speed with which you removed my comments.
BARC fines India Today for manipulating TRP never became your cover story with a pic of Arun Purie. But BARC criticism has.
What a shame. Wonder what do we do to get fair India stories? Read theWire.in and watch Republic and then interpolate?
Fair journalism is dead in India. All are same!
Agree with you. Shame on these people.
We don’t have to read the print story to hate Arunav Goswami. His own histrionics on the screen rapes your sensibilities and murders your ethical foundations.
@Ram not everybody gets paid to support someone unlike in your case. Do you not agree that India Today was fined and Parambir Singh wantonly ignored its name and mentioned republic when Republic was never mentioned as accused?
Rajiv completely agree with you..Boycot Print
It is hand in gloves with those people who are desperate to defame Hinduism and Modi
Even I can’t see my comment here…Yeh darr achcha laga ??
Shows how biased ThePrint has become.
All these days Republic was harassed by Mumbai Police, it’s correspondent was detained in spite of anticipatory bail, ThePrint was quiet.
Has BARC claimed that the email is fake?
Has BARC not named India Today for fake TRP? Has BARC not fined India Today? Your silence on all this is deafening Shekhar Jee.
Such bias will not take you far. Trust me. This is the age of social media. The only way to get ahead is to publish complete unbiased story. Your deliberate omission of India Today, the named accused in the FIR is sickening.
Now that is what one calls a “befitting response ” to such blatant biased view which is being helmed by former president of Editors Guild OR should I say Editors ‘ guilt??
Rajiv, you are such a sick person. Why trying to defend Arnab the bad mouth person? How much did you get paid?