Anil Ambani’s Companies Issue Cease and Desist Notice to Newsclick
Newsclick received a cease and desist notice dated August 2, 2018, from a group of three companies controlled by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani – Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Reliance Defence Limited and Reliance Aerostructure Limited. Looking at the companies mentioned, one can guess what the 'objectional' reporting was related to, “the Offset (Export Obligations) Contract pertaining to Rafale fighter aircraft.” The letter was addressed to Editor Prabir Purkayastha and Journalist Gautam Navlakha and served through their legal counsels Mulla & Mulla,and Craigie Blunt & Caroe.
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The notice referred to the coverage of the Rafale deal as “speculative, factually incorrect and exhibiting lack of understanding by some section of the media. Such false, frivolous, sensational, derogatory news reports seem intended to cast aspersions and create a negative image/perception about our Clients in the minds of the public.”
The letter went on to say that a “vilification campaign” at the instance of corporate rivals and some political parties is being undertaken to “deliberately besmirch” their clients which will adversely affect their shareholders.
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The letter also issued an advisory to Newsclick stating that “the fundamental objective of journalism is to serve the people and to provide them with information, views, and comments on matters of public interest in a fair, accurate, unbiased manner.”
They also stated that they “expect the media to provide ample notice of 48 hours for them to respond and place the facts as they truly stand.”
Before stating that they reserve their right to legal recourse, they also stated that the subject matter of the reporting is “a sensitive subject relating to national security.”
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However, it appears that Newsclick was not alone in receiving the notice, The Hindu received one too. Looking at the contents of the report, it seems that the two notices were either similarly worded or copied and pasted.
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