Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Cricket telecast

Sir, — Your editorial of March 17, Cricket telecast and `national interest,' rightly pointed out that after failing to act in time, Doordarshan's current effort to telecast cricket matches is questionable.

The authorities concerned should also consider the question of intellectual property rights before taking any decision regarding this issue. Doordarshan and Ten Sports could also resolve the matter on the basis of give-and-take.

Vijalakshmi Jaisankar

Coimbatore

* * *

Sir, — To paint the telecast of cricket matches with the brush of national interest is not only illogical but highly fallacious. It is the urbanites who watch cricket on television and most of them get access to Ten Sports in the bulk cable package, with the sole exception of the Chennai viewers.

It is unbelievable that Doordharshan has chosen to cut into the contractual obligations of another channel. It is not in the best interests of law and ethics if we fail to respect ownership rights, whatever be the pressures.

Such an attitude will boomerang on us in some other context.

R. Ramakrishnan,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Your editorial reflects the views of every right thinking person. No doubt we should encourage our team but it should not be done in a manner that brings disrepute to the nation over commercial transactions. One fails to understand what made the Government invoke national interest.

G.M. Venkataraman

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The political class wants to ride the cricket wave ahead of elections, even if it means lowering India Inc.'s standing in the world.

If Doordarshan failed to bid for telecast rights in time, it should be made to pay the price and not aided to garner undeserved ad revenue. Small wonder that international investors are apprehensive of contracts governed by Indian law.

Chandrasekar K.,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — Why take exception to the compliments paid by the President and the Prime Minister to the Indian cricket team on its victory over Pakistan in the Karachi one-dayer. To belittle this fantastic feat is not in good taste.

When the second match at Rawalpindi was witnessed by no less a person than the President of Pakistan, what is wrong in congratulating our team?

As for the media hype, it only reflects the huge popularity of cricket.

P.K. Varadarajan,

Chennai

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