YSRCP Charges Improper Blockage of News Channels

The YSRCP, which was ousted from power in the last Assembly election, accused the new state administration on Tuesday of muzzling the press and requested that the telecom regulator investigate the alleged illegal shutdown of several news stations.

In a letter to the chairperson of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Rajya Sabha member S Niranjan Reddy claimed that several channels, including TV9, NTV, 10TV, and Sakshi TV, were taken off air by the state's cable TV operators' association due to "pressure and directions" from the TDP-led government. 

He claimed that the channels were stopped "without lawful justification or procedural compliance". Reddy described such moves as an assault on press freedom, warning that they might deter media outlets from reporting on sensitive matters for fear of repercussions. "Such interference creates a chilling effect on the freedom of the press, where media organisations might become hesitant to report on controversial or sensitive issues due to fear of punitive actions," said the letter.

The YSR Congress leader urged TRAI to "act decisively" to implement regulations and safeguard the media from "undue governmental influence", allowing the press to function freely without fear of punishment or censorship.

He encouraged the regulator to guarantee compliance with TRAI regulations, notably Regulation 17 of the 2017 Regulations, and to take appropriate action against individuals who breach these requirements. There was no quick response from the state administration.