Doordarshan officials suspended over PM's 'Theek Hai' fiasco

New

, Dec 25: Five officials of

(DD) faced the wrath of its higher officials over the "Theek Hain" fiasco during Prime Minister

's speech over Delhi gang-rape.

Five DD officials have been suspended and an investigation has also been ordered to know the reason why the group of two camera persons and three staff members from the engineering wing reached late to venue to cover the prime minister's speech.

Citing the delay by the DD officials, the speech was then recorded by television news agency ANI which was also present for the purpose.

In the speech, the PM had asked people to maintain peace after Sunday's violent protests. The telecast of the speech on news channels in its unedited form Monday, Dec 24 had triggered online criticism as the PM was heard saying 'theek hain' (alright) at the end of his address. The editing error was later corrected.

Sources in the national broadcaster said that the suspension of the five persons was not related to the telecast of the unedited speech but for not reaching the venue on time.

The recording of the speech had taken place at around 9:30 am but the camera crew of the Doordarshan managed to reach at 9.40 am while the engineering staff arrived a few minutes after 10 am yesterday, the sources said.

An official said that crew found it difficult to reach by 9:30 am due to traffic restrictions on important roads leading to the 7, Race Course Road residence of the Prime Minister and also because they had been called to come at short notice.

OneIndia News
(With PTI inputs)