BJP's JP Nadda & I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar slam Congress' attempts to stifle Republic

Lashing out assault on Republic Media Network's freedom by Mumbai police, BJP chief J P Nda, on Thursday, tweeted that such 'whimsical witch-hunts' cant remain hidden. Commenting on Mumbai police's allegations against network, Nda opined Congress' attack on press freedom has been its rm since Emergency period in 1975. Similarly, upholding press freedom, Union Information and Brocasting Minister Prakash Javekar too said that Congress and its allies' attempts targetting media is unacceptable.

ACCESSED: India Today named in FIR Mumbai CP used to claim TRP scam, t Republic TV

Centre & BJP back press freedom

WATCH: Arnab Goswami exposes Mumbai police's false allegations against Republic TV

Republic accesses FIR

On accessing FIR which has been filed by Mumbai police, it was found that contrary to  Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh's allegations naming Republic TV, arrested Relationship manr of Hansa Research Group Private Limite - Vishal Bhandari has named India Today and or channels to allegedly 'increase ratings'.

Two employees of Hansa- which is responsible for installing and maintaining Bar-O-Meter of Brocast Audience Research Council (BARC) - Dy General Manr Nitin Deokar and Relationship Manr Vishal have recorded ir statements with Mumbai police. Bhandari has revealed that India Today and or channels instigated him and offered money to panel homes, where Bar-O-Meter is installed. As per complainant, some persons try to increase ratings by making panel homes watch certain channels against payment of money. He ded that a manipulative TRP rating causes several vertisers to part with huge sum of money to undeserving channels.

 Moreover, Deokar revealed that a person named Vinay asked Bhandari in vember 2019 to approach 5 homes and ask m to watch India Today daily for two hours. As per Bhandari’s own confession to BARC Vigilance team, Vinay paid him Rs.5000 as commission for distributing Rs.1000 among 5 panel homes. An audit inquiry by BARC confirmed that 5 households were indeed bribed to watch India Today daily for minimum two hours from vember 2019 to May 2020. Mumbai police have arrested two people in connection with this case, stated Param Bir Singh. 

Union Minister & LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan passes away in Delhi at 74

Arnab issues statement

Responding to false allegations me against Republic TV by Mumbai police Commissioner Parambir Singh, Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami issued a statement earlier in day anuncing that Republic TV will file a criminal defamation case against Mumbai Police Commissioner. Arnab me it clear that BARC has t mentioned Republic TV in a single complaint. Arnab stated that such action only strengns resolve of everyone working at Network to push for truth even harder. He urged Mumbai Police Commissioner to issue an official apology and face legal proceedings.

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