India’s ‘Republic TV’ known for its Hindu nationalist propaganda, has been fined £20,000 by British authorities for hate speech against Pakistan.
As per details, India’s Republic TV – infamous for its right-wing Hindu nationalistic propaganda and anti-Pakistan rhetoric has been fined by UK authorities for broadcasting anti-Pakistan hate speech.
Ofcom – government authorized regulatory authority for broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries, in its verdict said that Republic TV was fined as its show titled ‘Poochta Hai Bharat’ was found to be in violation of British broadcasting rules and regulations.
The show is hosted by none other than Republic TV’s founder Arnab Goswani – PM Narendra Modi’s ‘go-to’ propagandist.
Goswami and his guests on September 6th 2019, had made comments which that amounted to hate speech against people of Pakistan. The show broadcasted offensive content comprised of derogatory, abusive language targeting Pakistan and Pakistanis, said Ofcom.
Republic TV was duly notified regarding numerous complaints concerning its content for its ‘highlight pejorative references regarding Pakistani community’.
Meanwhile, Worldview Media Network Limited – the company which airs Republic Bharat in Britain, has been prohibited from repeating the programme.
The licensee will also need to broadcast an official statement regarding Ofcom’s remarks.
Ofcom has contended that the 35-minute show propagated content that encouraged, justified violence against Pakistanis.
It is to be noted that earlier, Arnab Goswami was arrested in November this year on charges of abetment in a suicide incident back in 2018.
Goswami is accused of not paying the dues to Anvay Naik – managing director of the architect firm Concord Design Private Limited, which forced the latter to commit suicide due to severe financial crisis.
Republic TV and Fake TRP Scandal
Prior to this, Republic TV was found guilty of being involved in a fake TRP scandal along with two other television channels.
According to Mumbai police Chief – Param Bir Singh, BARC (Broadcast Audience Research Council) has provided substantial evidence of rigged ratings based on data of households where barometers were installed.
The Republic TV has been accused of resorting to illegal means and measures to artificially boost its TRP ratings.
Arnab Goswami is the Managing Director (MD) and editor-in-chief of Republic Media Network which owns and operates Republic TV in English, and Republic Bharat in Hindi.
There was false TRP spreading. TRP ratings were being bought. The manipulation was mainly for advertising revenues and advertising revenue made by manipulating ratings is a crime, said Mumbai Police Chief.
People were offered a monthly payment of ₹400-500 for their role in boosting the ratings, added the Police Chief.
Two TV channel owners have been arrested so far, whereas the directors and promoters of Republic TV are being investigated for ratings fraud.
