New Delhi: The News Broadcasters Association on Saturday urged the government to immediately withdraw the CBI probe into alleged manipulation of Television Rating Points (TRP), saying the speed with which the investigation was transferred to the central agency overnight raises doubts about intentions.
In a statement, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) expressed serious concern at “the open-ended FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police against the media for alleged TRP manipulation”.
“The speed with which the case was transferred to CBI overnight raises doubts about the intentions. A complaint filed against unknown persons by an individual who has no locus standi may lead to a witch-hunt against the media, its advertisers and advertising agencies,” said the NBA.
“We sincerely urge the government to immediately withdraw the case referred to CBI,” said the news media body, which is headed by Rajat Sharma.
The NBA statement comes days after the CBI had registered an FIR into alleged manipulation of Television Rating Points (TRP) on the basis of a reference from the Uttar Pradesh Police.
The case, which was earlier registered at a police station in Lucknow on a complaint of an advertising company promoter, was handed over to the CBI by the Uttar Pradesh government, officials had said.
In its statement, the NBA also said that it is very disturbed at the turn of events in Mumbai as the “clash between Republic TV and Mumbai police is posing a threat to the credibility and respect of two great institutions, the media and the police”.
“We are deeply concerned that journalists working in the newsroom have become victims of this unfortunate conflict,” the NBA said.
“We do not approve of the kind of journalism that is being practiced by Republic TV. And even though Republic TV is not a member of NBA and does not subscribe to our Code, we still take strong exception to cases filed against its editorial staff,” it said.
The NBA said it stands for the freedom of speech and expression of the media as enshrined in the Constitution of India.
“At the same time, we endorse the practice of ethics in journalism and put fair and balanced reporting at the core of what we report upon,” it said.
The NBA said it reprehends any attempt to target journalists doing their work in newsrooms but, on the other hand, it disapproves of any “vengeful reporting by media”.
“We condemn the reporting of baseless stories which subverts and interferes with the functioning of the law enforcement agencies,” the news channels body said.
It appealed to the Mumbai Police to ensure that no journalists are made victims of this crossfire.
“We also appeal to journalists working with Republic TV not to cross the ‘Lakshman rekha’ as clearly observed by the Bombay High Court,” the NBA said.
It also reiterated that it does not support toxic content and unethical journalism.
“News broadcasters are governed by the independent regulatory body, NBSA, headed by (Retd.) Justice A.K. Sikri. NBSA over the years has played an extremely important role in being a watchdog by monitoring content of news channels,” the statement said.
It has acted against well known national and regional broadcasters by levelling fines, apologies and warnings in several matters including the coverage of the death of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the NBA, which is a premier association of private news and current affairs broadcasters, said.
“We appeal that non member broadcasters be requested to follow the Code of Ethics and Guidelines of NBSA,” it said.
On the alleged TRP scam, the NBA said the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) has a mechanism to deal with such cases.
“An internal competent body headed by (Retd.) Justice Mukul Mudgal is capable and empowered to look into cases related to TRP data tampering. All cases related to TRP manipulation should be transferred to this authority,” the statement said.
TRP or Television Rating Points of a channel or programme are used to measure popularity by advertising agencies which affect pricing.
The points are calculated in India by Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) using a device installed in over 45,000 households across the country called “Bar-O-Meter”.
The device collects data about a programme or channel watched by members of these households on the basis of which weekly ratings are issued by BARC.
Recently, the Mumbai Police had registered a case of TRP manipulation following which the ratings were temporarily suspended by BARC.
Also read: CBI files fresh FIR on ‘TRP rigging’ after advertiser seeks probe into TV rating agency BARC
It is surprising that NBA is against CBI probe in the alleged TRP scam. Instead, they should have protested against the probe being conducted by Mumbai police. In fact the probe started by Mumbai police do not come under their jurisdiction. They are doing the job expected from Income Tax Dept, ED and CBI. TRP is not only concerned to Mumbai or Maharashtra. It is concerned to all the states of the country. Hence the investigation by a central agency like CBI. The public are not fools. It seems the present investigation by Mumbai police is nothing but a witch-hunt by Mumbai police. Instead of supporting a fellow journalist the members of the NBA are siding with Mumbai Police and supporting their vindictive action with the support of Maharashtra government. Really shame of NBA and its head Rajat Sharma. If you allow this in future all state governments may start police action against any channel critical of their government. It was surprising that these so called NBA members never mentioned India Today groups channel whose name was there in the FIR when going to air first time on 8th October.. This shows that all channels united and through Mumbai police hatched conspiracy to defame Republic TV. This has already backfired on them. For example myself and many of my friends have already dropped the news channels these so called NBA members including India TV owned by its head. Now they have to worry about their own TRP. If they have nothing to hide these NBA members should welcome a CBI probe which is a fair decision. A month back channels like Times Now were for the removal of Mumbai Police Commissioner as they were not sure of a fair investigation under him in Sushant’s case. Now all of a sudden they believed and aired his statements in the Press Conference without trying to go deep into the matter with and intention of humiliating a fellow journalist due to their professional jealousy. They forgot his past contribution to their channel when he was the Editor in Chief. Shame on these journalists. Whatever NBA do public are supporting Republic TV and Republic Bharat. Now I am having only Republic, Republic Bharat apart DD channels. I have boycotted all other channels.
It is high time that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting intervene in the matter. If the minister has no guts let him step down and most capable man who can handle such matter take charge of this ministry.
I Support Arnab
Why withdrawal of the case ,let CBI investigate the truth will prevail. Some of the channels who were always at top were they investigated any time. The reason is, over a period of time their ratings had started declining is the main problem. It is seen from their one side reporting against one channel to defame it. It should also be seen if such report of TRP was placed before the Public without investigation.
no shame to demand dropping investigation
In Hathras you tutored parents of victims even after adhiyanath was open to court monitored probe. You have lot of dirt.that is why you dont want probe
Extremely irresponsible statements by the NBA.
Before placing an allegation on others, the members of the NBA need to do introspection their own code of conduct.
I would like to make some very very specific points to make.
(1) Where was the “Laxman Rekha” of the NBA members on 8-Oct-2020 when all the channels started reporting against Republic TV as soon as PBS gave a Press Conference. Was it not your duty to cross-check the facts? On what basis many channels aired utter criticism on Republic TV, whereas the FIR did not have their name?
(2) Lecturing the on the ethics of “Journalism” by NBA doesn’t suit them. Without doing any fact checks on 8-Oct-2020, most of the members of the NBA started airing the TRP scam with Republic as main accused. Where were your ethics on that day? You can’t have different yardsticks for different channels. Presently, this matter is subjudice and let the court take the final call on whether or not the CBI need to investigate the matter.
(3) Finally, all through this week when Republic TV staff is dragged to Police Stations, none of the NBA members questioned on the “freedom of speech”. As a matter of fact, the FIR lodged in Mumbai very well contains the name of channels who are part of the NBA. Why is the NBA not speaking about those channels who are accused in FIR?
And the more you want to avoid CBI, the more it is clear that – it is a conspiracy against Republic TV.
I am pretty sure that the courts of law will take into account of “RIGHT” and “WRONG” and will take the final call.
Sorry NBA. You appears to be on the wrong side.
The TRP, advertisements by private manufacturers, BARC are all private matters, allegations and disputes. and does not imply any loss to taxpayer money. First of all Police should not have allowed itself to be drawn into these and directed the parties to approach the court. There are more compelling things of public interest to be done
Surprising some journals have nothing to say about the high handedness of the Mumbai Police. Guess it is on ideological grounds.
It is good that the NBA has lodged at least a token protest against action of Mumbai police of registering FIRs against the entire editorial staff of the aRepublic channel. The quality of the content of the said channel is not the issue. The quality may be of the worst kind. But it is not the job of the government to punish a channel for its poor quality. This is the prerogative of the viewers, ie the people of India. No government should usurp the power of the people and tell them what to watch and what not to watch. If the people don’t like content the would stop watching that channel. But government should shut down a channel by coercion. This is not true democracy.
Let the CBI do its job. Its foolish on the part of NBA to request for CBI withdrawal. As a common citizen of India, i have been following strictly all the news channels since SSR case, and i think all other channels are BIKAU channels, except Repulic TV. Arnab and his team are doing fearless fabulous work.
Can NBA urge the same to Mumbai Police. This shows that you are not fair. Why you are silent when the name of Republic is not even mentioned in the report and FIR is getting registered one after another. Now to 1000 journalists in his team. Are you sure that Mumbai Police by know the salaries, tissue paper cost are doing right thing. Pls wake up before we shake you up.
100 साल पुराने अंग्रेजों के कानून जो अंग्रेजों के विरुद्ध अन्दोलन को कुचलने के लिए पुलीस को दी गयी थी,उसका प्रयोग रिपब्लिक के सत्य को कुचलने के लिए मुम्बई पुलिस द्वारा अपयोग पर कोई टिपन्नी नही,क्यों।
क्या देश के नागरिकों को नागरिकों के विरूद्ध इस काले कानुन का उपयोग मंजुर है?
ROFL…these guys talking about ethics…. good joke. I support Arnab and denounce the divisive forces harassing and framing him.
एनडीटीवी पठानकोट हमले में देश की सुरक्षा को ताक पर रख कर रिपोर्टिंग करे तो वो प्रेस की आजादी और अगर रिपब्लिक, प्रान्त के मुख्यमंत्री ओर पुलिस से कानून व्यवस्था पर सवाल करे तो लक्ष्मणरेखा लांघना।
सुधर जाओ