Mumbai, India, Mar 14, 2007 / 05:26 am
The Discovery Channel has threatened to take legal action against the Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) for claiming that the channel had decided not to broadcast the controversial documentary “The Lost Tomb of Jesus.” The channel sent the CSF legal notice on March 6, reported the Indo-Asia News Service.
The Catholic group had claimed that the channel pulled the documentary from its line-up after it, along with several Christian groups and leaders asked management not to broadcast the film.
“Media reports have erroneously claimed that Discovery Communication India has withdrawn the television program 'The Lost Tomb of Jesus' as a result of pressure from a local religious group,” the channel said in a statement. “This assertion is false and inaccurate.”
“Discovery Communication India had never scheduled the telecast of the program in India, as demonstrated by our program guide, monthly press kit and website,” it said, asking the CSF as well to refrain from making false and misleading statements.
CSF general secretary Joseph Dias told UCA News March 8 that they "have not gotten any legal notice," and that he learned about it from the media. The Catholic group said it stands by its statements.