Telangana MSOs Say Centre Has No Right Interfering In Their Cable Business

Telangana MSOs replied to the notice issued by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that they had to stop telecast of ABN and TV9 bowing to public pressure over their hurt sentiments. Earlier, the TRAI sought explanation on why MSOs had stopped the two channels without the mandatory 15-day notice.

After a meeting on Monday, MSOs told media persons that they are not afraid of Centre’s pressure and will go to any extent to fight for their rights. They accused the Centre of issuing orders for ABN and TV9, at the behest of AP Government and Andhra businessmen, while maintaining silence on ban of v6 and TNews in AP.

The MSOs maintained they are not violating the law and abstained from telecasting the two channels which are against the wishes of the people of the region and added there is existing capacity to air only 105 channels by cable operators and DTH too is airing the channels of their choice without Centre’s orders. So they wondered how could Centre pressure them on the issue when they are not bound by any contracts to telecast those 2 channels. The MSOs Federation maintained that they had presented their case to the High Court when the issue went there and pointed out that the court too agreed with their contention.

They decided to continue blockade of TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyothi news channels and also planned to meet the Information & Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar to explain the reasons behind their decision.

Last week, Mr Javadekar had told the Rajya Sabha that he would try to resolve the matter and added that if MSOs resort to any censorship and violate norms, the I&B Ministry was empowered to take action.