News Broadcasters Federation condemns attempt to strong-arm IBF and BARC management

News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) yesterday issuing a statement that condemned the attempts by NBA to strong-arm IBF and BARC and bullying agencies by taking action against Republic TV. NBF stated that the matter in the TRP Scam was pending before the courts with the trial against Republic TV even yet to start. NBF stated that Republic TV was being targeted by the Mumbai Police at the behest of the Maharashtra Government.

NBF further stated that it would Court to stop unilateralism in the functioning of BARC and hoped that the management of BARC would use their wisdom and not succumb to the pressure of corporates in the matter.

Here’s the full statement from NBF

The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) condemns the bullying attempts of NBA to bully BARC into taking action against Republic TV. The matter is before the courts and deliberations are on regarding the quashing of the FIR. In other words, the trial against Republic TV has not even begun. Republic TV has been the target of political malice by the Maharashtra government and Mumbai Police. 

It is also important to note that senior officials of the India Today Group have been interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate. By this logic, should India Today also be suspended from IBF, as well as the ratings of India Today be suspended by BARC? Several other channels including GECs and channels in the Telugu genre are being investigated. Should the ratings of these GECs and channels of the Telugu genre also be suspended from IBF and from ratings? This kind of attempt at bullying BARC and IBF will not be tolerated. 

The News Broadcasters Federation will also move Court to stop this kind of unilateralism in the functioning of BARC and hopes that the management of BARC will use their wisdom and not succumb to corporate pressures in this manner, which will be patently illegal.