New Delhi: The News Broadcasters Association on Saturday urged the government to immediately withdraw the CBI probe into alleged manipulation of Television Rating Points (TRP), saying the speed with which the investigation was transferred to the central agency overnight raises doubts about intentions.
In a statement, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) expressed serious concern at “the open-ended FIR registered by the Uttar Pradesh Police against the media for alleged TRP manipulation”.
“The speed with which the case was transferred to CBI overnight raises doubts about the intentions. A complaint filed against unknown persons by an individual who has no locus standi may lead to a witch-hunt against the media, its advertisers and advertising agencies,” said the NBA.
“We sincerely urge the government to immediately withdraw the case referred to CBI,” said the news media body, which is headed by Rajat Sharma.
The NBA statement comes days after the CBI had registered an FIR into alleged manipulation of Television Rating Points (TRP) on the basis of a reference from the Uttar Pradesh Police.
The case, which was earlier registered at a police station in Lucknow on a complaint of an advertising company promoter, was handed over to the CBI by the Uttar Pradesh government, officials had said.
