Arnab Goswami’s news channel ‘Republic’ breaches Emblems act, Subramanian Swamy complains to I&B

Swamy in a letter to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting wrote, it has come to my notice that a news channel under the name and style of Republic is in the process of being launched.

By: News Desk |
January 25, 2017 4:37 pm

Tags: Subramanian Swamy,

Senior BJP leader, Subramanian Swamy objected to the name Republic chosen by an upcoming channel which is to be headed by Arnab Goswami.

Swamy in a letter to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting wrote, it has comer to my notice that a news channel
under the name and style of Republic is in the process of being launched. The channel will be led by Mr. Arnab Goswami. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs filing show that Mr. Goswami has become a director in ARG Outlier Media Private Limited and SRG Media Holding Private Limited on 19 November 2016. The Channel is to go by the name of Republic.

It may be noticed that certain names and emblems are prohibited for being used under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) act 1950 for professional and commercial purposes. As per the schedule accompanying statute, under item 6 there is an express prohibition from using the phrase Republic. Hence the grant of license to a news channel to broadcast under the name ‘Republic’ will be contrary to law and the direct breach of Emblems and Names Act 1950.

For info of PTs pic.twitter.com/L2YxhPOeRg

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) January 25, 2017

Arnab Goswani had announced about his new venture last year after resigning from the Times Now as Editor-in-Chief on November 1.