BARC India Disappointed With Republic Network For Misrepresenting, Disclosing Confidential Communications; Assures Assistance In Probe

The Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh earlier this month revealed that his team has identified three channels -- Republic TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema -- reportedly involved in TRP fraud.

(File Photo/ AFP)

The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India on Sunday expressed its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network for disclosing and misrepresenting their private and confidential communications. In an official statement issued on Sunday, the agency said that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation and without prejudice to BARC India’s rights, it expresses its dismay at the actions of the Republic Network. "BARC India is highly disappointed with the actions of the Republic Network by disclosing private and confidential communications and misrepresenting the same," the body said. The BARC India which represents Broadcasters, Advertisers and Media Agencies, further assured all the necessary assistance to the law enforcement agency in the ongoing investigation in the recently busted scam involving manipulation of TRPs. The statement has come in response to the claims made by Republic Network that an email from BARC contradicts the allegations levelled by Mumbai Police chief Param Bir Singh. TRP is a tool to judge which TV programmes are viewed the most and also indicates the viewers' choice and popularity of a particular channel. The Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh earlier this month revealed that his team has identified three channels -- Republic TV, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema -- reportedly involved in TRP fraud. The three media houses are allegedly involved in distorting the apparatus used by Broadcast Audience Research Council to rate television channels across the country on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis. The Police have accused Republic TV of bribing several households in order to increase their TRP. Republic TV's Managing director and Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami is likely to be quizzed by Mumbai Police in TRP fraud case.