TRP manipulation case: News Broadcasters Association urges govt to withdraw CBI probe
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 the 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 the content of news channels," the statement said.
It has acted against well-known national and regional broadcasters by leveling 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 nonmember 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 that 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.
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NIA court to complete framing of charges against 2010 hand-chopping case accused on May 15
Kochi (PTI): A special court here will complete proceedings for framing charges against the prime accused in the 2010 hand-chopping case involving professor T J Joseph, in which PFI activists were accused of attacking him at Muvattupuzha.
Ernakulam Special Court for NIA cases judge P K Mohandas, on April 30, heard the arguments of counsel for accused Savad and Shafeer C and decided to proceed with framing charges against the duo.
A group chopped off Thodupuzha Newman College professor Joseph's right hand in July 2010, accusing him of religious blasphemy in a question paper he had prepared.
The case, later taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), resulted in the conviction of 19 accused.
The first accused, Savad, who allegedly chopped off Joseph’s palm, was arrested in Berram in Mattannur, Kannur, in January 2024, where he had allegedly been hiding under the pseudonym Shajahan.
The NIA also arrested Shafeer, who allegedly arranged shelter and provided logistical support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur since 2020.
On April 30, the court heard the counsel for the accused and the NIA prosecutor on framing charges against the duo.
"On going through the documents and evidence in the case and on hearing the counsel for the accused and the prosecutor, I am of the opinion that there are grounds for presuming that the first accused has committed offences punishable under provisions of the IPC, the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and that the second accused has committed offences punishable under the IPC and the UAPA, and there are materials for framing charges under these provisions against the accused," the court said.
The court directed that Savad be produced and Shafeer, who is on bail, appear before it on May 15 for recording their pleas as part of the charge-framing process.
After framing the charges, the court will schedule the trial in the case.
