Ban lifted on two Malayalam TV channels
TRIVANDRUM: India has lifted a 48-hour ban on two regional television channels for reporting Delhi riots that killed dozens and left many homeless after widespread outrage.
Malayalam channels Asianet News, the market leader, and Mediaone went off the air soon after the federal order from 7.30 pm Friday.
Asianet, the oldest Malayalam news channel controlled by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a lawmaker of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was back on the air past midnight.
It took another eight hours to lift the ban on Mediaone, a relatively new kid on the block promoted by the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-islami, which also faced charges of linking Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP’S ideological mentor, to the riots.
Mediaone’s editor-in-chief CL Thomas said it was a blatant attack on free and fair reporting for criticising the RSS and the Delhi police and that his outfit will fight legally against “the unprecedented and undemocratic action.”
“We got communication in the morning that the ban has been lifted. It offered no reason for the restoration of the broadcast,” he told Gulf Today.
The order of the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry said they violated rules against reporting “attack on religions or communities” which “promotes communal attitudes.”
I&B minister Prakash Javadekar said he restored these channels after Asianet New owner talked to him and he realised what had happened.
He said the prime minister had expressed concern over the entire issue and he would look into the matter.
“Our basic thought process is that the freedom of the press is essential in the democratic set-up and that is the commitment of the Modi government,” he said.
“We have sought their (Broadcasters Association) inputs so we will take corrective actions. I am very much sure that the media will also exercise responsible freedom.”
Several journalists, intellectuals and politicians came out strongly against the ban, though shortlived” saying it meant to intimidate the media.
“Any action against govt mouthpiece channels?” asked Rajdeep Sardesai, the consulting editor of the India Today group.
“How on earth can Malayalam channels inflame communal passions in Delhi?” author-lawmaker Dr Shashi Tharoor wondered.
“Whereas the truly vicious propaganda channels like Ré-pubic (Republic) & Timescow (Times Now) continue their brazen distortions w/impunity.”
“Well, at least the authorities are now transparent that “questioning the RSS” offends the government. Half a point for honesty,” tweeted young historian Manu S Pillai.