Centre bans Malayalam news channel over security reasons

THE CENTRE’S MOVE DREW THE IRE OF MANY WITH THE OPPOSITION CONGRESS PARTY TERMING THE MOVE AS ‘UNDEMOCRATIC’.

KOCHI: The Union Government on Monday barred the telecast of Malayalam news channel MediaOne citing “security reasons”, but the Kerala High Court stayed the implementation of the order for two days.

The Centre’s move drew the ire of many with the Opposition Congress party terming the move as “undemocratic”.

“The telecast of MediaOne channel has once again been disallowed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, citing security reasons. The Government has not been forthcoming with the details,” Pramod Raman, the Editor of MediaOne, said in a statement here.

When contacted, Information and Broadcasting ministry officials confirmed that the channel has been banned but did not share any further details.

The media house challenged the order before the Kerala High Court which put on hold its implementation for two days.

While putting on hold the order, Justice N Nagaresh also sought the Centre’s stand on the plea moved by Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd which operates MediaOne channel.

Senior advocate S Sreekumar and advocate K Rakesh, who represented the media group, told the high court that the channel was not involved in any anti-national activity and urged it to direct the ministry to withdraw the order. Assistant Solicitor General S Manu, who appeared for the ministry, said he opposed the plea and sought time from the court to get appropriate instructions from the Centre.

Therefore, the court listed the matter on Wednesday and till then put on hold the implementation of the order, he added.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan slammed the I&B move.