A news channel of Telangana has complained that it has been blacked out in the state, prompting Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar to write to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seeking his intervention in the matter.
In his letter, Javadekar has said a representation had been received from ABN Andhra Jyoti TV channel complaining that the Cable TV operators had closed down its transmission from June 16 for an “indefinite period”.
Underlining that freedom of speech and expression is enshrined in the Constitution of India, Javadekar wrote, “Any unauthorised blocking of TV channels by the Cable Operators/Multi System Operators would be against this fundamental right. I therefore request you to kindly take necessary action to ensure the transmission of the ABN Andhra Jyoti TV Channel and other TV channels. I request your kind intervention in this regard.”
The letter mentioned that I&B Secretary Bimal Julka had earlier written a letter regarding this issue to the state’s Chief Secretary.
“We had requested the Chief Secretary to send his remarks to us on the issue. However, we are yet to receive a response,” the I&B minister’s letter said.