| At an emergency meeting of the IBF's board yesterday,
also attended by the London-based Mark Young, managing director (EMEIA),
BBC Worldwide, the issue of Prasad's nomination to the CAS task force
came up, along with other matters, and, according to the Foundation
sources, there were some "uncomfortable moments."
The sources pointed out that some members were upset with Prasad's
reported stand on CAS that is contrary to that of the IBF and his
"continued rigid stance that he would speak his mind at the
task force meetings."
When contacted by indiantelvision.com, Prasad --- who did not attend
yesterday's task force meeting also --- did not want to comment
initially on the issue of his nomination saying, "Since I did
not attend yesterday's meeting, I have to get a full report what
transpired before I can comment."
But, when asked whether his alleged "rigid stance on CAS"
is upsetting IBF members, Prasad retorted, "IBF is not God
that I have to follow what it says. I am at liberty to speak my
mind and what is fair for free to air channels."
Incidentally, Prasad is the only member of the task force who represents
a free to air channel, while the other representatives from the
broadcasting sector are from companies that run subscription-based
channels.
The other IBF nominees on the task force are Manu Sawhney, head
of ESPN India, Shantonu Aditya, head of distribution Sony Entertainment
TV and chief of One Alliance and the latest to join the bandwagon
is Star India's chief executive Peter Mukerjea, whose candidature
for the task force was okayed by the IBF board yesterday.
The IBF sources also pointed out that Prasad is to be sent an official
letter where it would be asked that he apologises for his comments.
The sources, quoting partly from the letter to be sent to Prasad,
said, "The board of IBF took a view that nominees of CAS task
force shall speak in one voice and if Mr Mahesh Prasad has a different
view from the majority of the members of IBF, the president will
be constrained to withdraw his nomination from IBF as one of the
members of the task force."
When asked on this aspect, Prasad said, "The IBF does not
have the moral authority to do any such thing and I'll continue
to speak my mind. Anyway, I have not received any intimation from
the IBF yet."
At a time when pre-CAS plans are going through a difficult phase
with consensus on important issue eluding, this difference of opinion
on CAS within IBF may make things more complicated.
|
