Arnab Goswami and Republic TV have made a record of apologies! Arnab Goswami, a favorite of Republic Bharat audiences, and a favorite of government supporters and frequently listed by the Supreme Court, has set a new record of apology by apologizing 280 times in 44 days. Currently, Arnab is currently busy paying two million fines imposed by the UK Ofcom Communications Regulatory Authority.
UK’s broadcasting regulatory body Ofcom objected to a program aired by Republic Bharat Channel and its anchor Arnab Goswami on ‘Puchhta Hai Bharat’, dated 6 September 2019, and asked Republic TV to respond, saying that it is a program that spread hatred among religions and people of different faith.
Also read: UK regulator slaps £20,000 fine on Republic Bharat for ‘hate speech’
Republic TV accepted it to be its fault and said that it is the first mistake made under section 3 of the Broadcasting License Code and it has been made unintentional.
Republic TV has also informed Ofcom that it has apologized for this mistake and has broadcast every hour an apology in English and Hindi daily, from 26 February 2020 to 9 April 2020, a total of 28012 times. The information to do has been circulated in public.
Now read the apology.
In an episode aired by the Communications Department’s Communications Controller (Regulator) Ofcom in the ‘Puchhta Hai Bharat’ program of 6 September 2019, some words that were used in the said program may be offensive and hurt the sentiments of some viewers. If those words hurt the feelings of any religion or a particular person, then the Republic Media TV Network apologizes.
Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) mentions freedom of expression for broadcasters and audiences, but if it hurts anyone’s sentiments then Ofcom, which is the communications regulatory authority, monitors it. While implementing this article, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to maintain a balance between freedom of expression and hurting the sentiments of the audience. It is his duty to discharge both his duties (freedom of expression, and not to hurt anyone’s feelings) efficiently.