Even a cursory look at the signature tune and the visual that accompanies it during the hourly news dished out by the DD, repeatedly shows BJP leaders like Shri A.B. Vajpayee, Shri L.K. Advani, Shri Pramod Mahajan and even Shri Venkaiah Naidu. Shri Vajpayee is the Prime Minister, but he is also the BJP leader trying to become the PM again.

As to the contents of the telecast, they are mostly tailored to serve the ends of the BJP election drive. It has already been reported in the press that instructions are forwarded to the DD and AIR officials in-charge from the official residence of the Information and Broadcasting Minister.

A 24-hour news channel which will be overseen by appointees of the Information and Broadcasting Minister would most certainly convert this news channel into an exclusive BJP election propaganda medium.

While it may appear that a 24-hour news channel is a necessity in this era of informatics, its launch on the eve of elections gives rise to justified apprehension. It will only be used to boost the prospects of the BJP, and propagate the so-called achievements of its government.

In the interests of fair-play and justice, it would be better to postpone it till the elections are over and a new government comes into office.

We, therefore, request you to order a stay on the new 24-hour channel, and to insist that present news telecasts are not titled in favour of the BJP.