Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SP)

New Delhi, Apr 18: Republic TV, a news channel that is expected to be launched soon by popular journalist and TV news anchor, Arnab Goswami, reportedly has been served with a notice by The Times Group. Arnab was working for this group till he quit in on first of November, 2016.

Goswami stated in his audio clip posted in YouTube that he has received legal notice from 'a media group', warning him not to use the phrase, 'Nation wants to know'. He claimed to have received a six-page notice in which he has been threatened with imprisonment in case he makes use of the above phrase ever. Arnab says that the sender of the notice has claimed ownership over this phrase.

It may be recalled that Arnab was repeatedly using the phrase, 'Nation wants know' during his prime time show, 'News hour' on Times Now, which was extremely popular. He used to head Times Now and ET Now of the group besides being their editor-in-chief.

A Times Network spokesperson, reacting to this development, said that ARG Outlier Media Pvt Ltd in which Rajya Sabha member, Rajeev Chandrashekhar, is the major investor, and of which Republic TV is a part, has filed for trademark right over the said phrase and some other phrases. He pointed out that Times Now has already filed for these phrases and using them since long. The said notice was a caution notice in response to the above step, and Arnab appears to be trying to get some mileage out of this development," he felt.

Republic TV debuted in social media on January 7 with Facebook page. Its twitter handle happens to be @republicworld. Republic TV is expected to launch its news channel in near future.

Goswami has claimed that he has been using the said phrase for the last two decades all along his career as a journalist and that the claim to own the phrase made by a media house and threat of imprisonment cannot stop him from using it.

Message purportedly from Arnab Goswami on YouTube:

"My Dear Viewers,

I have just received yet another legal threat.

This time, I am sharing it with you.

A media group has sent me a 6 page letter threatening me with imprisonment if I ever use the phrase “Nation Wants to Know”.

They say they own the phrase “Nation Wants to Know"

I have watched the nervous antics of this media group with amusement and horror for the last few months.

Today I am replying to them. In public.

To them, I say: The threat of imprisonment will not deter me.

Bring your moneybags and your lawyers, file the criminal case against me for using the phrase “Nation Wants to Know”.

Do everything you can, spend all the money you have and arrest me. I am waiting right now in my studio floor. Come, enforce your threat.

Viewers, the phrase “Nation Wants to Know” belongs to you, to me, and to all of us, every citizen of this country.

It symbolizes what we do, pick up issues for the people, ask, question and seek accountability where it is due.

I have used the phrase with pride, in my reporting and on debates for the last 20 years. And I am deeply indebted to each one of you who have found my journalism worthy of representing public interest.

Every Indian has a right to use that phrase. And this phrase comes from the heart.

Every Indian, through his or her questioning spirit, can use the phrase Nation Wants to Know.

I ask the people of India today: should I stop using this phrase because this media group threatens to imprison me if I do?

For the last few months, every dirty trick and every attempt at intimidation has been carried out against me and my team. My team members have been harassed and even threatened with “untoward action”.

This media group’s aim has been to somehow stall and delay the launch of Republic TV. To somehow try and make sure that a group of journalists determined to pursue the truth on behalf of the people are held back.

Yet, like a belief whose time has come, team Republic is unstoppable.

And to the media group I say: Bring it On.

Yours,
Arnab."

Video