NBF 'deeply disturbed' over Republic TV CEO's arrest, issues statement

The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) on Sunday said that it was 'deeply disturbed' by the arrest of Republic TV's CEO Vikas Khanchandani calling the law and order situation in Maharashtra 'highly alarming'. Issuing an official statement the body, which is the largest membership-driven organization upholding the freedom of press urged the Centre to immediately step into the matter and prevent the selective harassment of media professionals. 

“The early morning arrest of Vikas Khanchandani, the chief executive of Republic TV, is highly alarming for the law and order situation in Maharashtra. The series of arrests of senior executives of Republic TV on the pretext of investigations into one or other raises serious questions on liberty of an individual.  We urge the State Government of Maharashtra to ensure law of land is followed in letter and spirit,” said R. Jai Krishna, Secretary-General of News Broadcasters Federation. 

“I’m at loss of words at the arrest of Vikas, it really pains and worries a lot of media professionals like us, what’s the end to this ? This can’t continue for long,” said Shankar Bala, Vice President of NBF, and CEO, Fourth Dimension Media Solutions. 

Read: NBF Deeply Concerned Over Mumbai Police FIR On Republic TV's Editorial Staff

Read: NBF Members Throw Weight Behind Arnab Goswami, Lambast 'witch-hunt At Topmost Level'

Demanding an independent neutral national agency to investigate into the allegations labelled against media professionals, the body said, "NBF herein reiterates and urges the Government of India to immediately set-up and independent neutral national agency to investigate into any allegations of professional misconduct by journalists, executives, and owners of media company, in order to prevent selective harassment by the State Authority and to ensure the Freedom of Press." 

"We are very sad to hear that Vikas Khanchandani, the CEO of Republic TV has been arrested in the false TRP scam case. And we appeal to the Maharashtra Government and the police to stop their atrocities on Republic TV and let his people  live a normal life. It is enough and it now gone really over the head now, and if they don’t stop these atrocities on the media, I think the entire country's media should get together and strongly oppose and fight it out with the Maharashtra Government. We strongly condemn this act of the Maharashtra Government and the Maharashtra Police of arresting of Vikas Khanchandani in the TRP scam case. There has been so many TRP scam case all across the country but why he is the only one to be targeted and arrested. We all know what they have been doing with Arnab (Goswami), and we strongly oppose this. I as the Vice President of NBF strongly condemn this and appeal once again to the Maharashtra Government to stop these atrocities on the Republic Network," said Sanjive Narain, Vice President of NBF and CEO of Prag News, an Assam based regional news channel.

"It is very   shocking to hear today the arrest of Mr. Vikas Khanchandani, CEO of Republic TV when his bail application is coming before the consideration of the Bombay High Court on Monday. There is every reason to believe that Maharashtra Police is acting with vengeance in the case of Republic TV for reasons only known to them. It is our humble request that the Government of Maharashtra should take all steps to protect the freedom of Media and to instruct the Police to act accordingly," said R.Sreekandan Nair, Chief Editor, Twenty Four, a Kerala-based regional news channel.

NBF counts Dighvijay, DY365 News, First India Rajasthan, Gulistan News, IBC24, India News, JK 24X7, Living India News, News Live, News Nation, NewsX, North East Live, Odisha TV, Prag News, MH One News, PuthiyaThalaimurai TV, Republic Bharat, Republic TV, Newsfirst Kannada, S Newz, TV5, and TwentyFour News among its members.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai metropolitan magistrate court on Sunday, remanded Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani to 2-day police custody till December 15, after his arrest by the Mumbai police in the alleged TRP scam case. The Mumbai police had sought 14-day custody of the Republic CEO after his arrest. His anticipatory bail plea hearing was scheduled to be heard on Monday. Republic TV is set to move the Bombay High Court immediately, challenging the city court's order.

Read: Arnab Goswami Shows BARC Emails Revealing 'no Action Against Republic'

Read: Republic CEO Vikas Khanchandani Remanded To Mumbai Police Custody Till Dec 15 After Arrest