NDTV Frauds by Sree Iyer is an epic takedown of the NDTV group of companies, its founders and some of its employees. Sree Iyer digs up investigations going back to the 1990s and portrays a picture of a company founded to act as a PR firm for a political party under a guise of journalism.
Here are some of the top 5 allegations made by Sree Iyer in his book-
1) Quid Pro Quo Deals - NDTV has its foundations in a program titled 'The World This Week' which was paid for by Doordarshan. The book alleges that in return for the contract , NDTV hired the son-in-law of the Doordarshan honcho. This son-in-law who happens to be the son of a famous cricketer goes on to become #2 in NDTV.
2) Hiring @ NDTV - Sree Iyer claims that NDTV hires kin of people in powerful positions be it politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary, army etc. This hiring strategy gives NDTV access to insider information and also aids in getting them contracts. The book cites an example of a spouse of an Income Tax employee hired by NDTV at an exorbitant salary. Post the hiring, NDTV receives a very favourable and speedy responses from the IT department.
3) Star News Contract - The next break for NDTV came from the tie up with Rupert Murdoch and the launch of Star News in India. The book claims that Murdoch was arm twisted into a tie up by the political masters of NDTV. After the contract ends , a frustrated Murhoch winds up his business in India. NDTV then gets launched and the launch venue is the Prime Ministers office.
4) Web of companies - The most damming allegations are in a form of large number of companies with complex interlocked share holding patterns. It is claimed that a leading US MNC invested $150Mn in one of these companies and then sold at same stake at a huge loss to another interlocked company. Many of these companies have just one employee and this employee happens to be a prominent anchor at NDTV.
5) Well wishers in Modi government - The book claims that NDTV has its well wishers in the Modi government who are working hard to protect NDTV. It is only due to the persistence of a few that NDTV is now being investigated.
The books strings together data available in public domain to make a case of corruption and nepotism against NDTV. While to an ordinary reader, this may make a convincing case, it needs to be tested in the court of law. But given the track record of the people making the allegations, NDTV should be very worried.
Sree Iyer's book makes one believe in karma. A channel that went on a witch hunt against many with out an iota of evidence is now getting a taste of its own medicine. With falling viewership and claims of fraud, NDTV is unlikely to survive this crisis. The less said about the legacy of NDTV and its founders, the better.
Here are some of the top 5 allegations made by Sree Iyer in his book-
1) Quid Pro Quo Deals - NDTV has its foundations in a program titled 'The World This Week' which was paid for by Doordarshan. The book alleges that in return for the contract , NDTV hired the son-in-law of the Doordarshan honcho. This son-in-law who happens to be the son of a famous cricketer goes on to become #2 in NDTV.
2) Hiring @ NDTV - Sree Iyer claims that NDTV hires kin of people in powerful positions be it politicians, bureaucrats, judiciary, army etc. This hiring strategy gives NDTV access to insider information and also aids in getting them contracts. The book cites an example of a spouse of an Income Tax employee hired by NDTV at an exorbitant salary. Post the hiring, NDTV receives a very favourable and speedy responses from the IT department.
3) Star News Contract - The next break for NDTV came from the tie up with Rupert Murdoch and the launch of Star News in India. The book claims that Murdoch was arm twisted into a tie up by the political masters of NDTV. After the contract ends , a frustrated Murhoch winds up his business in India. NDTV then gets launched and the launch venue is the Prime Ministers office.
4) Web of companies - The most damming allegations are in a form of large number of companies with complex interlocked share holding patterns. It is claimed that a leading US MNC invested $150Mn in one of these companies and then sold at same stake at a huge loss to another interlocked company. Many of these companies have just one employee and this employee happens to be a prominent anchor at NDTV.
5) Well wishers in Modi government - The book claims that NDTV has its well wishers in the Modi government who are working hard to protect NDTV. It is only due to the persistence of a few that NDTV is now being investigated.
The books strings together data available in public domain to make a case of corruption and nepotism against NDTV. While to an ordinary reader, this may make a convincing case, it needs to be tested in the court of law. But given the track record of the people making the allegations, NDTV should be very worried.
Sree Iyer's book makes one believe in karma. A channel that went on a witch hunt against many with out an iota of evidence is now getting a taste of its own medicine. With falling viewership and claims of fraud, NDTV is unlikely to survive this crisis. The less said about the legacy of NDTV and its founders, the better.
Great insights. The book is listed on my next bunch of readings. Thank you for your crisp review of the book.
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