Hyderabad: Leading Telugu News channels, TV5 Telugu and ABN Andhra Jyothi has alleged that the cable operators across Andhra Pradesh have stopped airing their news channels for the past couple of days as the per instructions from the ruling establishment in the state.
ABN Andhra Jyothi and TV5 are likely to pursue legal action against cable operators as they have violated contract terms. Both the channels accused that they are being punished for reporting on anti-government stories.
The television channels point out that this unofficial ban of their news channels by the present ruling establishment in Andhra Pradesh is similar to the ban on TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyothi in 2014 by the TRS in Telangana.
The regulatory framework for cable operators by the TRAI, say that the Cable operators cannot disconnect the signals of TV channels without giving 21 days’ notice and specifying the reason for the disconnection.
TV5 Network, in an official statement to TNM, said, “In some places, the channel is not coming as the cable operator is not telecasting our channel, we will be going legally against them. Because the payment has been made” (sic).
“When people ask cable operators why the channels are unavailable, they are lying that there is a technical issue with the channels.” added TV5 Network.
In July 2019, the state government had revoked access to Telugu News Channels TV5 Telugu, ABN Andhra Jyothi and ETV from telecasting live from inside the Andhra Pradesh Legislative assembly media box.
