Case over ‘Ghotona Shotto’: Channel i says didn’t air the ‘objectionable part’

On July 23, the tele-fiction "Ghotona Shotto" was aired on Channel i, where "negative, misleading, and harmful ideas" about children with special needs were presented. Subsequently, Channel i Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar and its spokesperson Shykh Seraj were among those sued under the Persons with Disabilities Rights and Protection Act.

Channel i has claimed in an official statement that the insensitive part about children with special needs in the tele-fiction, released under the banner of Central Music and Video (CMV) on YouTube, was not aired by them. The YouTube channel of CMV is also not owned by Channel i.

The statement, signed by Amirul Islam, general manager, Programs of Channel i, said that Channel i authorities were deeply concerned about the misinformation being circulated over "Ghotona Shotto".

According to the statement, Channel i only bought the television rights for the tele-fiction, "Ghotona Shotto", produced by production company CMV. It was aired on July 23, 2021, at 2:30 pm.

The "objectionable part" at the end of CMV's tele-fiction aired on YouTube was not aired by Channel i, the statement said. Evidence of this can be found by collecting records of the tele-fiction aired on the given date.

Since Channel i only bought the television broadcast rights of the tele-fiction, it was not aired on any of Channel i's YouTube channels. Production company CMV promoted the tele-fiction on their YouTube channel. Channel i is in no way responsible for any offensive remarks made there, the statement read.

Channel i respects children with special needs, and their families. In addition to marking special occasions for children with special needs, Channel i regularly airs news and programmes about them, it said.

"We hope that after our statement, all misunderstandings regarding Channel i's involvement with 'Ghotona Shotto', will be cleared," said Amirul Islam.