Sign up for afaqs! Newsletters
MP high court takes cognisance of NaiDunia’s writ petition against MRUC
NaiDunia had raised doubts over the readership figures reported for it in IRS 2008 Round 1
In May 2008, the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh based Hindi daily, NaiDunia, had expressed its dissatisfaction with the readership figures reported for it by the Indian Readership Survey (IRS) 2008, Round 1 (R1). The Hindi daily decided to pursue the matter further and sent a legal notice to the Media Research Users Council (MRUC), asking for an explanation.
On August 22, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court admitted NaiDunia's writ petition challenging the IRS 2008 R1 media report and, subsequently, decided to issue notices to MRUC and others.
In an official communiqué in the past, NaiDunia had raised serious doubts over IRS 2008 R1, claiming that the readership figures quoted in the latest round of the IRS did not match the circulation figures certified by the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC).
NaiDunia claimed it had increased its circulation in Indore, but this fact was not reflected in the IRS figures. According to the daily, the readership was less than the circulation figures certified by ABC, which was unusual and could not be true.
Anil Dhupar |
Dhupar is confident that the move will bring about positive results for the industry. Authorities even remotely concerned with the fortunes of publications should realise their responsibility and act accordingly. An organisation such as the MRUC should be more accountable and act responsibly.
In its petition, NaiDunia Media had expressed its grievance over the vague report issued by the MRUC, which it claims led to irreparable loss to the image of its Hindi daily, NaiDunia, published in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
In May 2008, reacting to the alleged discrepancies pointed out by NaiDunia, Sabina Solomon, general manager, MRUC, spoke to afaqs! over the telephone and said, “I do not wish to react to the individual concerns of any publication at this stage. Whatever concerns they have, we are open to discussing them and sorting them out.”
She added, “There is a process in place for addressing legitimate issues and concerns. As far as the methodology for conducting research is concerned, as an organisation, we believe in fairness and transparency, so anyone can visit our website and gather information on how we work.”