Arnab Chats - Summary
WhatsApp chats reportedly between Republic TV Editor-In-Chief Arnab Goswami and former CEO of BARC Partho Das Gupta have surfaced on social media, sparking considerable controversy as many label them as “damning evidence.” This detailed PDF offers a comprehensive look at chats from July 2019 that continue until mid-October of the same year.
Key Conversations in the Leaked Chats
Following the viral spread of these alleged WhatsApp chats on Twitter, one notable conversation has Goswami discussing the abrogation of Article 370. In a chat from August 2019, he allegedly informed Das Gupta about sending 50 crew members to Jammu and Kashmir just two days prior to this significant event.
These alleged chats further suggest that Goswami had a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval just before the abrogation of Article 370, indicating he might have had insider knowledge about the timing of the discussions.
Revelations and Implications
Additionally, the leaked messages hint at Goswami’s boastful remarks about how Republic TV and Republic Bharat were the preferred news channels, as viewers were allegedly only tuning into them. The conversations also touch upon political figures like Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, along with claims that the channel was ahead in breaking news stories.
In another chat, Goswami allegedly claimed that “all ministers are with us,” indicating a sense of confidence regarding the channel’s future prospects.
This extensive 500-page document also uncovers allegations of Goswami manipulating TRPs (Television Rating Points). The discussions reveal that Das Gupta cautioned Goswami about TRAI’s recommendations to switch to digital viewership measurement, warning that it could politically harm both Republic TV and the BJP.
Das Gupta reportedly advised Goswami to leverage his connections with ruling party leaders to block the necessary reforms. TRAI’s proposal for enhanced TRP measurement aimed to improve accuracy but faced resistance from many prominent channels due to the high costs of implementing such digital systems.
In December, Mumbai Police claimed that Goswami had paid ‘lakhs of rupees’ to former BARC CEO to artificially inflate the TRP ratings of Republic Bharat Hindi and Republic TV English news channels. The leaks coincided with the date when the Bombay High Court postponed the hearing in the TRP Scam case until January 29. The police also stated that Goswami would not be arrested until the next court session.
You can download the Arnab Chats in PDF format using the link given below.