New Delhi : Despite repeated orders from TDSAT and an under taking by the Telangana govt that the state government would provide sufficient security to the MSOs and local cable operators (LCOs) in case of any threat against them due to resuming the signals of TV9, the channel is continued to be blocked by the MSOs of Telangana that prompted the TDSAT to summon the Additional Advocate General Rama Chandra Rao to be present in person today (10th October)
Earlier, JK Raju the consul of the broadcaster TV9 stated that despite the TDSAT’s order dated 22nd September, the petitioner’s channels signals continue to be blocked owing to multi-system operators’ (MSOs) complaint that they are still getting threats from some unruly elements and no protection is being provided by the state government.
TDSAT also instructed for a copy of this order be sent to Home Secretary, Telangana for his own information and communication that they have failed to stand by their assurance given by their consul before the court.
The attempt of Telangana government and MSOs in arm twisting the broadcasters TV9 and ABN Andhrajyothy is reaching a finals phase as the tribunal is expected to be pressure the state and central government’s Information and Broadcasting ministry to intervene in the issue to find an amicable solution and clear the prevailing standoff between the Telangana state government, MSOs and Broadcaster.
The problem faced by TV9 is a best example of how the media can be suppressed by a state government in power by over ruling the repeated orders of a statutory authority and continue to muscle out the business prospect of a broadcaster for such a very long time by using the MSOs as a tool to the whole issue.
The broadcaster TV9 is witnessing drop in ratings due to the continuous block out in Telangana and significant revenue loss due to the drop in ratings.
