Fastest ‘Action’ First: STAR India may take legal action against India TV

It seems to be the mother of all controversies. And from the way things are going, the storm is far from over yet. On January 26, 2006, Hindi news channel India TV questioned the selection process of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati 2’ contestants in its programme, ‘Breaking News’. As a counter move, STAR India is reportedly planning legal action against India TV, terming the entire news report as ‘sensational journalism’.

Confirming this to agencyfaqs!, Sameer Nair, COO, STAR India, says, “Yes, I suppose it is quite likely that we will take legal action against India TV. But I cannot divulge the details right now.”

However, Chintamani Rao, CEO, India TV, is maintaining a cool stance on the issue. When agencyfaqs! contacted him on STAR India’s plans to take the matter to court, he said: “Fine. It is purely their viewpoint if they wish to make it legal.”

He added, “We will deal with whatever action they take as it comes. But if you’re asking me whether we are refuting or withdrawing our report on ‘KBC 2’, then the answer is no. We have no such plans.”

For those who came in late, India TV allegedly raised questions on ‘KBC 2’ on three parameters in its programme. Firstly, the channel raised the matter that around five contestants had made it to the show twice, which it claimed to be impossible. Secondly, it said that a few BSNL and MTNL employees managed to get to the ‘Fastest Finger First’ round twice in an apparent violation of the rules, which bar employees of ‘KBC 2’s advertisers and partners from participating.

Thirdly, said India TV, the show host, Amitabh Bachchan, was unwilling to anchor ‘KBC 2’ any further because of the irregularities in the selection process.

Through an official communiqué, STAR India has countered these allegations, stating that Bachchan cannot confirm shooting dates for the next few months because of his ill health.

Nair of STAR India says, “After Amitabh Bachchan expressed his inability to shoot for the next couple of months on his doctor’s medical advice, we have decided to end this season of ‘KBC’. But we are contemplating returning with a third season of ‘KBC’ after this break. Claiming that Bachchan is distancing himself from the show because of alleged irregularities in the selection process is trying to put weight into a story that is baseless.”

For the record, the selection rules of ‘KBC’ allow contestants to participate in the ‘Fastest Finger First’ round more than once. However, if the participant has made it to the ‘Hot Seat’ (i.e. he has won the ‘Fastest Finger First’ round), he is disqualified from subsequent participation in the competition.

In addition, BSNL and MTNL are national telephony service providers and not restricted entities, as per the rules of ‘KBC 2’. STAR India points out that the selection process is validated by a global audit firm, KPMG.

Nair concludes, “This is a clear case of sensational journalism, of trying to stir up a public frenzy on hype rather than concentrating on the facts.”

As we said, the storm is far from over yet. Watch this space for more developments.

© 2006 agencyfaqs!