NBDA seeks Andhra Pradesh government's intervention in channel blackouts by cable operators
NBDA) has urged the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government to ensure that all broadcasters are allowed to operate without interference in the wake of the blackout of four news channels, Sakshi TV, TV9, NTV, and 10TV, by the cable TV operators.
The Cable TV Operators Association of Andhra Pradesh affiliated members have blocked the carriage of signals from Sakshi TV, a member of the NBDA, and three other news broadcasters, namely, TV9, NTV, and 10TV for allegedly criticising Naidu's Telugu Desam party (TDP).
«NBDA seeks the intervention of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to urge the cable operators to review their stand and avoid a situation of confrontation that is neither in the interest of the stakeholders nor in the public interest.»
«No reasons have been attributed for blocking the signals of these channels, which is contrary to the TRAI regulations. It is alleged that the action taken against the channels is in connection with their reporting criticising the TDP, which defeated the incumbent Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party in state-level elections,» it added.
The NBDA said that the step taken by a few cable operators is not in the interest of broadcasters, the media, or the public and sets a dangerous precedent.
It added that political parties must recognise that broadcasters have the freedom to decide what to telecast, and such editorial freedom cannot be subject to any interference.
«Such interference would lead to the media losing its independence, and it would result in the
