In a major exercise, ABP News has shut down two regional channels and told nearly 50 staff to resign allegedly without prior notice. Several employees told Newslaundry that most of those who have been shown the door were old-timers.

Those given the pink slip have been directed not to discuss the issue with the media or on social media. They have also been told not to serve their notice period even though the network has promised them at least one-month salary as compensation – the amount varies for those associated with the channel for longer periods.

The channel, which often brands itself as the top Hindi news television network in the country, has been lagging behind in television ratings. Staffers claimed it lacked a clear editorial line to navigate the challenge of audience retention.

‘Humiliated’ 

According to sources, 47 employees have been shown the door so far. These include 15 from the output desk, four from the technical and PCR departments, five from the assignment desk, three reporters, four anchors, nine video editors, six cameramen and one employee from the library department. Newslaundry is withholding the list of names as per a request from sources.

ABP Network has shut down regional channels ABP Ganga and ABP Sanjha, transferring some of the staff to ABP News. 

Ajay Tiwari, a 47-year-old video journalist who had been associated with the channel for the last five years, said he was on his weekly off last week when he was called to the office for an “emergency meeting”. 

“I was made to sign some documents and after that I was told not to come to work from tomorrow,” said Tiwari, whose son and daughter have cleared their class 12 exams this year and are trying to seek college admissions. “We are very low-salaried people…who will give me work? Before giving a job to a cameraperson, his body and age are considered.”

“The camera left me at that very moment when I needed this job the most...the children don’t know yet that their cameraman papa has lost his job,” he said.

Arun Nautiyal, the output head of the channel, was allegedly not even allowed to meet his colleagues after being given the pink slip, sources said. He was also asked to take all his belongings from his cabin in an episode which left some employees in tears, they said.

When contacted, Nautiyal told Newslaundry that he had been associated with the channel since it was known as Star News, and refused to share any other detail.

A senior producer who had been associated with the channel for three years alleged, “I had a shift till 11 pm, but around 7 pm I was told by the assistant of senior vice president (news and production) Sant Prasad Rai that ‘sir is calling you to the second floor’. I went to his room…He told me that the company doesn’t need me…they got me to sign all the papers…the IT person immediately took my phone and deactivated my official email and also took my ID card.”

‘A pattern’

Several staffers claimed there was a pattern to the layoff exercise with no job cuts for those hired by Sant Prasad Rai.

Rai, who was seen as a “TRP guru” with his success at helping TV9 Bharatvarsh reach the top spot in TV rankings, took over ABP News one year ago promising to turn things around. But the channel continues to be at the seventh spot, despite the changes made under Rai’s leadership and increased financial burden, sources told Newslaundry. The old-timers were chosen as scapegoats as a consequence, they claimed.

Sources said that Rai had joined ABP News with about two dozen professionals from TV9. “Those who don't belong to the Sant Rai gang, or those who refrained from being part of their gang, are losing their jobs,” said an employee who has worked with the channel for nearly four years.

“When this has happened to Arun Nautiyal sir, what’s my worth? He was thrown out of the office, not allowed to meet anyone…Nautiyal was a highly respected figure in the newsroom,” said another.

Sources told Newslaundry that all employees earning more than Rs 1 lakh per month have been told to sign a new contract.

Meanwhile, employees fired from the channel have created their own WhatsApp group to help find jobs, and many former employees have been added to the group.

In a mail to staff, CEO Avinash Pandey said ABP Ganga editor Rohit Kumar Sanwal will be the new output editor of ABP News, and Jaswinder Patial will be the executive editor and anchor for the 9 pm show with independent charge.

Calls to Avinash Pandey and Sant Prasad Rai remained unanswered. This report will be updated if a response is received to a questionnaire sent through email.

This report was first published in Newslaundry Hindi. It was translated to English by Shardool Katyayan.