Mumbai: The Madras High Court has granted News18 Tamil Nadu an interim injunction restraining the self-proclaimed vlogger Mr Maridhas from publishing any message, picture or graphical representation that is defamatory, derogatory or in the nature of a threat against News18 Tamil Nadu channel. Honorable Justice C V Karthikeyan, hearing a civil suit by the Media House, has also directed Mr Maridhas to remove the derogatory videos pertaining to News18 Tamil Nadu or its employees.
Statement issued by Network 18 sadi, “Mr Maridhas has posted several videos on YouTube that contain false news, baseless allegations and defamatory remarks relating not only to our channel, but also the personal life of our employees.”
“He not only openly named several persons associated with our organisation but also discussed their private relationships drawing untrue, unnecessary and defamatory inferences from the same. The videos were posted by Mr. Maridhas as a part of his active propaganda and scheme of defaming us, tarnishing our credibility and unlawfully interfering with our independence and functioning. He went to the extent of using forged and fabricated emails to further his propaganda of spreading fake news against our channel and the employees of the Network18 group.”
“One of Network18’s editors has also filed a complaint of forgery with the police for the fabrication of an email ID in his name to spread fake news. An FIR has been registered.”
“The Network18 group, which operates News18 Tamil Nadu, will not tolerate any attempts to besmirch the reputation of the channel or its employees. All the legal actions we have initiated will be taken to their logical conclusion.”
“News18 Tamil Nadu is committed to fair and objective news coverage. We are a neutral news media organisation and will not be swayed by political considerations. We also enforce high standards of professional behaviour. Those who violate our code of conduct will be strictly dealt with.”
“News18 Tamil Nadu is determined to provide viewers with top-notch coverage of news, events and issues in the state.”