MUMBAI: Editor-turned-Republic TV entrepreneur Arnab Goswami now says that he has been served a legal notice by his former employer Times Group for using the phrase -- ‘nation wants to know’ on his Republic TV venture. The phrase was common on Newshour on Times Now till Arnab quit on 1 November 2016.
Sources associated with Republic TV said test runs for the channel's May launch are in progress. Goswami's frequent interviews across various media was a run-up to the launch, they said.
In an audio clip on YouTube, Goswami claimed that he has been served with another 'legal threat' for using the aforestated phrase. In the clip, Goswami said that the threat of imprisonment would not deter him and that he has been using the phrase for the last 20 years throughout his journalism career. Goswami became closely associated with the phrase during his tenure at Times Now.
“ARG Outliers (Republic TV) had filed for trademark for these and similar phrases which were already filed for and extensively used for years by Times Now. We have responded with a standard caution notice. He (Arnab) is just trying to gain soundbytes from it,” Times Network said in an emailed communication to the media.
Goswami added in the clib: "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 money bags 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. Arrest me. I am waiting right now, on my studio floor. The phrase 'nation wants to know' belongs to you, me and to all of us. To every citizen of this country."
Arnab has alleged that his team members had been harassed and threatened with "untoward action", and that this media group's aim had been to stall and delay the launch of Republic.
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