BARC decides to pause news channel ratings for three months to ‘review and augment the current standards’ of data
Clarion India
NEW DELHI – A plea by Republic TV challenging the Mumbai Police investigation into the TRP scam was on Thursday rejected by the Supreme Court.
A three-judge bench headed by justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked the channel to move the Bombay high court first before approaching Supreme Court.
Justice Chandrachud in a lighter vein told Harish Salve who is representing the Republic, “Your office is in Worli. And, the Flora Fountain is not too far from Worli.” The top court held a very short hearing on the Republic’s TV plea.
The top court observed that like any ordinary citizen facing investigation under CrPC, petitioners must also go to the High Court first. Salve agreed to withdraw the petition with the liberty to approach the High Court. The top court told Salve, “We must have faith in the High Court”.
The Mumbai Police, which has issued summons to the news channel in connection with the alleged Television Rating Point scam, is opposed to the Republic TV demand for a CBI probe, saying the channel can’t decide which agency should probe the matter. The affidavit filed by the Mumbai Police said the investigation into a crime can’t be a matter of free speech and alleged that Arnab Goswami is threatening and intimidating witnesses.
The Republic TV plea in the apex court had challenged the October 9 summons, issued to the CFO of Republic Media Network, in connection with the investigation in an FIR. Earlier, the CFO citing the plea in the top court had urged the Mumbai Police to pause its probe in the role of the network and its employee, as a request has been made before the court for an early hearing into the matter.
The police have named Republic TV, India Today TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema among the accused after its discreet investigation in the past few days.
Meanwhile, Television ratings agency BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) on Thursday decided to pause weekly ratings for news channels for three months. It wants to “review and augment the current standards” of data after a huge controversy over the alleged rigging of viewership ratings by three channels.
At least five people have been arrested by Mumbai Police in the scam. The News Broadcasters Association, which represents private news channels in the country, has welcomed BARC’s move.
