Thursday, March 28, 2024

NDTV alleged to have collected funds illegally: Complaint with EOW





The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to conduct an inquiry against NDTV for illegally collecting funds using the children’s cause. It is being alleged that the channel had organised a fund raiser in the name of children by using the name of a foundation that works with the Central government.

In its letter, NCPCR has said that the NDTV had organised a fund raiser with UNICEF in the name of Childline India Foundation. The foundation works with Ministry of Women and Child Development and neither the foundation nor the ministry knew about this. In his complaint to NCPCR, the complainant has alleged that this was clearly NDTV’s fraudulent collection of funds for its own benefit.

The NCPCR has now requested the EOW to look into these allegations of fraud against NDTV. It has also said that it was a fit case to take action against the channel under Section 13 (1)(j) of the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

In November 2020, the media house had launched fundraising initiative “NDTV-UNICEF Reimagine Telethon” to help children during the pandemic. During the launch, it had claimed that without immediate funding and key lifesaving interventions, an additional 1,600 children could die in India over the next six months. 

NDTV had then sought funds to help the most vulnerable children. It had claimed that the fundraising was being done in collaboration with UNICEF. However, UNICEF had taken exception to this, and issued a statement saying: “We denounce this unethical practice and dissociate from the organisations/individuals involved in this.”

So far, NDTV has not responded to these charges. It is likely that EOW may conduct a detailed investigation into this issue.


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