Republic TV in TRP frauds! Not their first controversy!
I have heard about the recent saying that News channels create news but in the case of Republic TV, we can witness a news channel becoming news. Republic TV has been alleged to tamper and manipulate the TRP in order to gain advertising revenues. Mumbai Police has accused Republic and two other channels, Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema of being involved in a major racket of manipulating viewership data. It has been done to increase the advertisement revenues.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh said that the police have already made arrests. It includes the owners of two channels and has questioned several officials of the channels as well. Well, Arnab Goswami, the editor-in-chief of Republic TV has of course denied against the allegations.
As of now, the Mumbai police is investigating further in the case. They have already interrogated several people including some of the households. It was found that some households are even being paid to play the said channel on their TVs. Further, HANSA, the company that measures the viewership has also been said to be involved in the fraudulent.
Will the Channel Shut Down?
Well, according to the TRP reports, Republic TV holds the first place in viewership in the English News genre. If that is actually true then it would not be shut down. However, if the case turns out against the channel then they might have to face some consequences.
However, Arnab Goswami demands an official apology from Parambir Singh, for defamation. He has also threatened to see the commissioner in court. Though, from what it looks like Arnab is going to get into grave danger as the Government might not be able to cover for his TRP fraudulent case. Well, the truth will soon be out.