The Hyderabad Union of Journalists (HUJ) on Monday demanded that TRS government take immediate action to revive ABN Andhra Jyothi and TV9 channels which were shut down about a month ago.
In a pressnote here today, IJU secretary-general D Amar, HUJ president V Yadagiri, TUWJ general secretary K. Virahat Ali and HUJ secretary T Koti Reddy stated that due to the sudden shut down of the two TV channels hundreds of electronic media persons and managements were facing hardships. The action of suspending the operation of the two prominent channels was a blow to democracy, they said, adding that the Telangana government should not ignore the issue any longer.
They urged Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao to respond immediately and order MSOs to permit operation of the two channels. They also sought action against the erring MSOs.
The journalists of two news channels, accompanied by members of different organisations took to the streets protesting against the blocking of their telecast in Telangana for the past three weeks and demanding immediate lifting of the ban. The relay of ABN Andhra Jyothi TV and TV9 channels have been blocked by the association of Telangana Multiple System Operators since June 16, alleging that they had been airing programs denigrating Telangana dialect, sentiment and feelings of the newly carved-out State’s people. The employees of the two channels took out a rally from the Basheerbagh Press Club.
However, police stopped them from disrupting traffic on the busy road towards the Secretariat. As many as 160 protesters were taken into preventive custody and were later let off. (NSS)