Pointing out that such action on the part of the private
news channels amounted to a breach of
"professional ethics," DD News in a letter sent to private
TV channels today said it raises "serious
copyright issues."
Threatening to take legal action, DD has further stated in its
letter, "Under the circumstances, do we
conclude that DD too has the freedom to relay any exclusive telecast
carried on your channel in a
similar manner in the near future?"
Private satellite news channels, of course, are attempting to play
down the issue. A senior executive
of a private news channel retorted, "The relay of DD News'
coverage of events being referred to was done after due courtesy
was given. Moreover, since the happenings took place very fast,
a formal clearance could not be taken, but the whole coverage was
relayed in public interest."
The letter signed by the head of DD News has been sent to the likes
of Zee News, Star News, both the NDTV channels and Aaj Tak. However,
attempts made by indiantelevision.com to elicit a formal response
from the news channels proved futile. For example, a spokesperson
for Aaj Tak said that he was not aware of the DD News letter and
if it were true, the company's legal department would have to be
consulted before a response could be handed out.
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