CENTRE LIFTS 48-HOUR BAN ON 2 KERALA TV CHANNELS
NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday revoked a 48-hour ban clamped on two Malayalam news channels, Asianet News and Media One, hours after imposing the punitive measure on grounds that their coverage of the recent violence in north-east Delhi could have increased “communal disharmony.” The information and broadcasting ministry issued two orders on Friday imposing the bans. The move attracted criticism, especially over the fact that the ban on Media One said the channel had appeared to be critical of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Delhi Police.
The transmission of both the channels has been immediately resumed. The Prime Minister also enquired about the matter and expressed his concern PRAKASH JAVADEKAR , I&B minister
NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday revoked a 48-hour ban clamped on two Malayalam news channels, Asianet News and Media One, hours after imposing the punitive measure on grounds that their coverage of the recent violence in north-east Delhi could have increased “communal disharmony”.
The information and broadcasting ministry issued two separate orders on Friday imposing the ban on both channels. The move attracted criticism, especially over the fact that the ban order on Media One said the channel had appeared to be critical of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Delhi Police.
The violence involved largely Muslim opponents of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and mainly Hindu supporters of the law who clashed in northeast Delhi from February 23 to 25, leaving 53 dead and more than 400 injured.
The ministry’s order on Media One said the channel’s “reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters. It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS.”
Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar said the ban had been lifted and asserted that the government supported the freedom of press.
“The transmission of both the channels has been immediately resumed. The Prime Minister also enquired about the matter and expressed his concern. How this happened, we will look into it and question the officials concerned,” said Javadekar.
Javadekar, however, said “responsible freedom” was one specialty of a democracy.
The two channels were suspended for 48 hours beginning at 7:30 PM on Friday over their coverage of the communal violence in Delhi. The official orders said the channels covered events of February 25 in a manner that
“highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community”.
The ban on Asianet News was lifted at 1.30 am, while the ban on Media One was lifted at 9.30 am on Saturday.
The minister said the views of the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) had been sought and he had spoken with its president Rajat Sharma. “We have sought their inputs so we will take correct actions. I am very much sure that the media will also exercise responsible freedom,” he added.
The Congress and Left parties criticised the government for the punitive action, calling it stifling of media freedom. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan called it a “dangerous trend”.
“The Centre has made an infringement into the freedom of the press, crossing all limits. There is a threat that if anybody criticises RSS and Sangh Parivar, they will be taught a lesson,” Vijayan said in a statement.
Asianet News Editor M G Radhakrishnan said management of the channel had contacted the information and broadcasting ministry after the ban was imposed and explained its position on the matter. Media One editor-in-chief C L Thomas said his channel had not reached out to the government and the ministry “suo motu” revoked the ban.
“Today we got the information that the ban has been revoked, so we did not go ahead with the legal proceedings,” Thomas said.
Reacting to the revocation, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, “Glad wisdom has dawned on the government.”