NEW DELHI: The YSRCP has accused the NDA government, comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena, of blocking several news channels following the announcement of the assembly and Parliamentary election results in Andhra Pradesh.
In a letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), YSRCP Rajya Sabha member S Niranjan Reddy alleged that the Andhra Pradesh Cable TV Operators Association was pressured by the TDP-led government to remove TV9, NTV, 10TV, and Sakshi TV from their programming.He claimed that these channels were blocked “without any lawful justification or procedural compliance.”
Reddy appealed to Trai to investigate the matter thoroughly and uphold the principles of a free and independent press by “preventing undue governmental influence over media and broadcasting services.”
A local multi-system operator from the Godavari region confirmed the blockade of these four channels as per PTI report, suggesting that the decision was likely made at the management level without consulting the operators.
The channels currently being telecast include TV5, ABN Andhrajyothi, and ETV, which were allegedly viewed as pro-TDP media houses during the previous YSRCP regime.
The operator noted that the blockade began even before N Chandrababu Naidu took oath as the chief minister and that customers have been questioning the unavailability of these channels, some of which enjoy high viewership in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
TDP spokesperson Jyotshna Tirunagari said that the party believes in freedom of speech and respects the press and media, considering journalism as a strong pillar for society and the state. She further added that the newly-elected Andhra Pradesh Speaker C Ayyannapatrudu’s first signature was to revoke the suspension on ETV, ABN Andhrajyothi, and TV5, which were allegedly barred from entering the House during the YSRCP regime.
In a letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), YSRCP Rajya Sabha member S Niranjan Reddy alleged that the Andhra Pradesh Cable TV Operators Association was pressured by the TDP-led government to remove TV9, NTV, 10TV, and Sakshi TV from their programming.He claimed that these channels were blocked “without any lawful justification or procedural compliance.”
Reddy appealed to Trai to investigate the matter thoroughly and uphold the principles of a free and independent press by “preventing undue governmental influence over media and broadcasting services.”
A local multi-system operator from the Godavari region confirmed the blockade of these four channels as per PTI report, suggesting that the decision was likely made at the management level without consulting the operators.
The channels currently being telecast include TV5, ABN Andhrajyothi, and ETV, which were allegedly viewed as pro-TDP media houses during the previous YSRCP regime.
The operator noted that the blockade began even before N Chandrababu Naidu took oath as the chief minister and that customers have been questioning the unavailability of these channels, some of which enjoy high viewership in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
TDP spokesperson Jyotshna Tirunagari said that the party believes in freedom of speech and respects the press and media, considering journalism as a strong pillar for society and the state. She further added that the newly-elected Andhra Pradesh Speaker C Ayyannapatrudu’s first signature was to revoke the suspension on ETV, ABN Andhrajyothi, and TV5, which were allegedly barred from entering the House during the YSRCP regime.
