BARC: Disappointed with Republic TV's actions

BARC wasn't pleased by Republic Media Network's claim that it had received a communicaton from the ratings agency giving it a clean chit in the case and used it to target the Mumbai Police and its commissioner Param Bir Singh.

Rating's agency Broadcast Audience Research Council has lashed out at Republic TV, accusing it of 'misrepresentation', after the channel quoted a communication from the agency to claim innocence in the Television Rating Points scam.

On Sunday, Republic TV claimed that it had received a communicaton from BARC giving it a clean chit in the case and used it to target the Mumbai Police and its commissioner Param Bir Singh.

In a statement issued on Twitter, Republic TV cited an 'official email' from BARC to its Group CEO Vikas Khanchandani and claimed that 'there is not a single complaint or malpractice found against Republic TV, Republic Bharat or any other affiliate of the News Network'. 

"With the disclosure of BARC, the fake news-based campaign against Republic led by Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh comes to an end," the statement said. 

However, BARC wasn't pleased by Republic Media Network's claim.

In a statement, BARC said it was 'dismayed at misrepresentation of its communication by Republic Network' and clarified that it has not commented on the ongoing investigation.

"BARC India is highly disappointed with the actions of the Republic Network by disclosing private and confidential communications and misrepresenting the same. BARC India reiterates 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," the BARC statement said.

Republic TV is under investigation along with 2 Marathi channels for allegedly manipulating viewership ratings to boost their advertising revenue. The Mumbai Police has so far arrested six persons in the case.