Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh), some news channels have stopped broadcasting in several places in Andhra Pradesh following the declaration of Assembly and Parliament election results, with an opposition MP from the YSRCP alleging coercion by the government state that led to its blockade.
Allegations of channel blocking (TV9, NTV, 10TV and Sakshi TV) have been leveled against the NDA government comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena.
YSRCP Rajya Sabha member S Niranjan Reddy complained to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) over the alleged blocking of these four vernacular news channels by the government.
In a recent letter to TRAI, Reddy claimed that the Andhra Pradesh Cable Television Operators Association took these four channels off air due to alleged coercion by the TDP-led government in the state.
"I am constrained to draw your (TRAI) attention to the illegal resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Cable Television Operators Association under pressure and instructions from the newly formed government to permanently block various news channels," Reddy said.
He alleged that TV9, NTV, 10TV and Sakshi TV were blocked "without any legal justification or procedural compliance".
Overwhelmed by a deluge of negative publicity for several years allegedly from rivals, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had set up the newspaper and television channel Sakshi around 2008 to spread a counter-narrative.
Meanwhile, a local multi-system operator (cable TV service provider) in Godavari region confirmed that these four channels were blocked.
"Yes, these four channels were blocked and this decision would have been made at the management level and we have no role to play. The management does not consult us," the operator, who did not want to identify himself, said on Sunday.
He observed that channels that supposedly took a supporting role to the erstwhile YSRCP government were taken off air and pointed out that the new channels currently airing include TV5, ABN Andhrajyothi and ETV.
Except satellite TV service providers like Tata Play and others, the operator noted that most multi-system operators and FibreNet APs took these channels off air, which were allegedly seen as pro-YSRCP media outlets.
The operator, which serves up to 300 households with cable TV connections, noted that the lockdown began even before N Chandrababu Naidu took oath as Chief Minister.
Some of the blocked channels enjoy a large audience in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, prompting customers to wonder why they were unavailable.
"Customers will definitely ask. Why wouldn't they ask why these channels were blocked?" the operator said, adding that a similar phenomenon occurred during the YSRCP regime between 2019 and 2024 in the form of alleged blocking of some TV channels. news like TV5 and ABN Andhrajyothi.
According to the operator, channels seen as pro-TDP used to be available for an additional charge, while channels seen as YSRCP-friendly when it was in power were offered for free, and things might have seen a change now. However, there is still no clarity, the operator noted.
The YSRCP Rajya Sabha member appealed to the regulator to carry out a thorough investigation and uphold the principles of a free and independent press "by avoiding undue government influence over the media and broadcasting services".
Meanwhile, TDP spokesperson Jyotshna Tirunagari said, "TDP always believes in freedom of expression and we respect the press and media a lot. And we always believe in journalism as a very strong pillar for the society and the State." ".
He observed that the ruling party always accepts constructive criticism.
Further, the TDP spokesperson highlighted that newly elected Andhra Pradesh President C Ayyannapatrudu's first signature on Saturday was to revoke the suspension of ETV, ABN Andhrajyothi and TV5, channels that were allegedly banned from entering the House during the YSRCP regime.
Furthermore, he claimed that the party does not classify channels as "ours" and "theirs", as former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy did.
Allegations of channel blocking (TV9, NTV, 10TV and Sakshi TV) have been leveled against the NDA government comprising TDP, BJP and Janasena.
YSRCP Rajya Sabha member S Niranjan Reddy complained to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) over the alleged blocking of these four vernacular news channels by the government.
In a recent letter to TRAI, Reddy claimed that the Andhra Pradesh Cable Television Operators Association took these four channels off air due to alleged coercion by the TDP-led government in the state.
"I am constrained to draw your (TRAI) attention to the illegal resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Cable Television Operators Association under pressure and instructions from the newly formed government to permanently block various news channels," Reddy said.
He alleged that TV9, NTV, 10TV and Sakshi TV were blocked "without any legal justification or procedural compliance".
Overwhelmed by a deluge of negative publicity for several years allegedly from rivals, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had set up the newspaper and television channel Sakshi around 2008 to spread a counter-narrative.
Meanwhile, a local multi-system operator (cable TV service provider) in Godavari region confirmed that these four channels were blocked.
"Yes, these four channels were blocked and this decision would have been made at the management level and we have no role to play. The management does not consult us," the operator, who did not want to identify himself, said on Sunday.
He observed that channels that supposedly took a supporting role to the erstwhile YSRCP government were taken off air and pointed out that the new channels currently airing include TV5, ABN Andhrajyothi and ETV.
Except satellite TV service providers like Tata Play and others, the operator noted that most multi-system operators and FibreNet APs took these channels off air, which were allegedly seen as pro-YSRCP media outlets.
The operator, which serves up to 300 households with cable TV connections, noted that the lockdown began even before N Chandrababu Naidu took oath as Chief Minister.
Some of the blocked channels enjoy a large audience in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, prompting customers to wonder why they were unavailable.
"Customers will definitely ask. Why wouldn't they ask why these channels were blocked?" the operator said, adding that a similar phenomenon occurred during the YSRCP regime between 2019 and 2024 in the form of alleged blocking of some TV channels. news like TV5 and ABN Andhrajyothi.
According to the operator, channels seen as pro-TDP used to be available for an additional charge, while channels seen as YSRCP-friendly when it was in power were offered for free, and things might have seen a change now. However, there is still no clarity, the operator noted.
The YSRCP Rajya Sabha member appealed to the regulator to carry out a thorough investigation and uphold the principles of a free and independent press "by avoiding undue government influence over the media and broadcasting services".
Meanwhile, TDP spokesperson Jyotshna Tirunagari said, "TDP always believes in freedom of expression and we respect the press and media a lot. And we always believe in journalism as a very strong pillar for the society and the State." ".
He observed that the ruling party always accepts constructive criticism.
Further, the TDP spokesperson highlighted that newly elected Andhra Pradesh President C Ayyannapatrudu's first signature on Saturday was to revoke the suspension of ETV, ABN Andhrajyothi and TV5, channels that were allegedly banned from entering the House during the YSRCP regime.
Furthermore, he claimed that the party does not classify channels as "ours" and "theirs", as former chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy did.
