The statement comes after Republic Media Network earlier in the day claimed that BARC, in an email, said it had found no complaints or evidence of negligence against Republic TV, RepublicBharat or any of their affiliates.
Archive image of Arnab Goswami. News18
The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) denied on Sunday that it had commented on the ongoing investigation against Republic TV for allegedly manipulating TRPs (television rating points) and expressed disappointment with the network for “revealing their private and confidential communication.” and “misrepresent it.”
The BARC posted this statement on Twitter:
“BARC India has not commented on the ongoing investigation and is providing the necessary assistance to the law enforcement agency,” the rating agency said in a statement posted on Twitter. “BARC India is very disappointed in the Republic Network’s actions in disclosing private and confidential communications and misrepresenting them. BARC India reiterates that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and, without prejudice to BARC India’s rights, expresses its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network ”.
– BARCIndia (@BARCIndia) October 18, 2020
The statement comes after Republic Media Network claimed earlier that BARC, in an email, said it had found no complaints or evidence of negligence against Republic TV, Republic Bharat, or any of its affiliates.
The network also accused Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh of running a “fake news campaign” against it.
It also posted an article on its website and claimed that BARC’s email dated October 17 stated that “if any disciplinary action had been taken against ARG Outlier Media Private Ltd (which owns Republic TV), BARC India would he would have communicated the same with the documents necessary for his response.
The network claimed that BARC’s email to Republic TV CEO Vikas Khanchandani confirmed that there was no negligence on the part of the network and further said that it was now up to Singh to apologize.
He also said that the media must “correct themselves, apologize for the fake news and spread the truth.”
#RepublicExposesParamBir | Press Release: With BARC Email Made Public, Fake News-Based Campaign Against Republic Media Network Led By Mumbai Police Commissioner Comes To An End pic.twitter.com/UEgGuIxeeC
– Republic (@republica) October 18, 2020
Mumbai police had alleged on October 8 that three channels: Republic TV, Box Cinema and marathi channel Fakt Marathi – were manipulating TRP’s ratings to increase their advertising revenue.
The alleged bogus TRP scam came to light when the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) rating agency filed a complaint through Hansa Research Group, alleging that certain television channels were tampering with TRP’s numbers.
Republic TV has denied the allegations.
ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd and its editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami moved the Bombay High Court on Friday to quash the FIR filed against the channel in the scam case.
The petition also sought an address to transfer the case to the CBI to ensure a fair and transparent investigation on the basis that the case will have repercussions throughout India.
This came a day after the Supreme Court refused to hear a statement from one of its senior officials challenging the subpoena issued by the Mumbai police and ordering him to address the high court.
With PTI inputs
Disclaimer: Network18 Media & Investments Ltd, the publisher of Firstpost, also owns CNN-News18
Find the latest and upcoming tech gadgets online at Tech2 Gadgets. Receive tech news, gadget reviews and ratings. Popular devices including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, pricing and comparison.
