Sushant Row: Times Now crumbles under the pressure of Dharma, Yashraj, 3 Khan’s production houses

In a development which suggests that Times Now is all bark no bite, the English news channel has reached a ‘settlement’ with Bollywood’s big wigs – promising to not air anything that is defamatory to the Hindi film industry, or deemed inappropriate by them. The settlement comes in the backdrop of four film industry associations and 34 producers, including several “superstars” filing a lawsuit in October against Republic TV and Times Now for “irresponsible reporting” and defamatory content aimed against the Mumbai film industry. The settlement has shown how the Times Network does not seem to be keen to defend itself and its content

In a joint statement with the Producers Guild of India, Times Network said they were pleased to confirm that they have settled the matter. “Times Now reaffirms its commitment to abide by the Programme Code under the Cable Television Network Regulation Act 1995 and the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, and undertakes not to publish or air anything that is defamatory to the plaintiffs on the Times Now channel,” the network said. Importantly, the statement also said the plaintiffs and Times Group can look forward to building their “historically cordial relationship”.

The lawsuit against Times Now and Republic TV came after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput caused nationwide outrage against the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry, with truckloads of anger being rightfully directed towards what the media houses called “the dirtiest industry in the country”, and “cocaine and LSD drenched Bollywood”. In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs had asked that channels as well as social media platforms to “refrain from making or publishing irresponsible, derogatory and defamatory remarks against Bollywood and its members”.

Times Now and Republic TV were at the forefront of campaigning for the truth to be uncovered in the supposed suicide of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. For Times Now to settle the lawsuit with Mumbai’s film industry speaks volumes about how the news network fears the power and resources of the people who wanted to shut down their subjectively unlikable coverage of Bollywood. The media must have the right to question – in a tone it deems fit, whoever it wants to.

But there is only so much which “free media” activists can do. If the media itself is hell bent on prostrating before those who wish to silence it, there is little to no scope left for campaigning on behalf of those who have the courage of speaking truth to power. All said, Times Now’s settlement with Bollywood comes as a disappointing development.