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Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) once again levelled baseless and false allegations against Odisha Television Limited (OTV) today accusing that around 10 to 12 teams of the television channel tried to influence voters by distributing cash while seeking support for BJP's Lok Sabha candidate Baijayant 'Jay' Panda. A delegation of the BJD met the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha in this regard today demanding mobile & video surveillance and debarment of the teams from Kendrapara.
In its response OTV wants to inform that such allegations are baseless, fabricated and politically motivated.
"Over the past few months, BJD with its malevolence is trying to tarnish the image of the news channel, and today's allegations follow the same pattern. The truth is OTV is committed to free, fair and unbiased reporting and will continue to show all sides of every news event. As the Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency is considered as a major battleground in the 4th phase elections, OTV has assigned its reporters in the area for comprehensive news coverage. OTV has also received information that a specific political party is using unfair means and the channel is professionally committed to report it to its viewers. In fact OTV welcomes a team of the Election Commission to accompany its news team during election coverage, as demanded by the BJD. Moreover, we also request that in case of any reports of unfair means being used during elections, the EC team should accompany the OTV team and reach the spot immediately and take action."
In fact this not for the first time that such false and baseless allegations are being labelled against OTV.
The news channel wants to clarify that:
A specific political party (BJD) has been questioning the journalism and news coverage of OTV and has lodged complaints before the Election Commission of India. We have received a lot of allegations so far and we have furnished our responses before the Election Commission.
We want to clarify here that all the allegations are baseless and aimed at tarnishing the image of OTV. The channel, which though its free and unbiased journalism has become the most trustworthy news channel of Odisha, feels that such allegations are attempts of the ruling-party to tarnish the image of OTV . As a responsible news channel we have been telecasting news strictly as per the guidelines laid down for the elections and the fact that we are repeatedly being dragged into the politics, slandered & trolled on social media, it seems like a political conspiracy.
After formally receiving five such false allegations, we decided to issue a press note to clarify our stand on the issue.
