MUMBAI: Dramatics personified well-known news anchor Arnab Goswami has declared the new name of his news channel to be ‘Republic TV’, switching from the original 'Republic'.
BJP Member of Parliament Subramaniam Swamy had questioned the use of the world ‘republic’ for commercial use, citing Indian law.
In a letter dated 13 January 2017, Swamy wrote to the secretary, ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) : "It has come to my notice that a new TV channel under the name of “Republic” is in the process of being launched... It may be noticed that certain names and emblems are prohibited from being used under the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 for professional and commercial purposes. As per the schedule accompanying the statute, under Item 6, there is an express prohibition from using the phrase, “Republic”. ”
Now, in a letter dated 28 January to the under-secretary to the government of India (MIB), Republic TV's MD and editor-in-chief, on behalf of ARG Outlier Media, Goswami stated that the documents needed were being submitted to facilitate the name change.
Goswami may have eventually chosen to start the real news battle later, when he is fully prepared, rather than the 'namesake' fight.
ALSO READ:
BJP MP Swamy finds holes in Arnab Goswami’s 'Republic'
