Media Ban

"Ministry of I and B bans Asianet and Media 1, both Malyalam channels for 48 hours, for their reporting on Delhi riots. Any action against govt mouthpiece channels?" - Interestingly A point to note is that @asianetnewstv is a channel owned by BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar; may be I&B did not realise?

The channels were suspended for 48 hours over their coverage of last month's communal violence in Delhi, with the official orders saying they covered events on February 25 in a manner that "highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community". "Channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters," the ministry order on Media One had said. "It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS." The ministry ordered prohibition of transmission or re-transmission of Media One and Asianet News for 48 hours on any platform throughout India with effect from 7.30 pm on Friday to 7.30 pm on Sunday.

Really stupid n foolish move to ban and gag media! Still millions can watch it through YuppTV etc. Really a foolish move to gag media . 😳As the visuals have seen by millions of viewers, what for this type hypocritical bans ? BJP has no more moral right to criticise past Emergency excesses!

The Congress and the CPI had come down hard on the government over the suspension of Media One and Asianet News, calling the clampdown as "stifling of media freedom". Shashi Tharoor tweeted : "Whereas the truly vicious propaganda channels like Ré-pubic & TimesCow continue their brazen distortions w/impunity.
@asianetnewstv & @MediaOneTVLive are fine independent media." #LiftTheBan now.

The Ministry of I&B plays the roles of Prosecutor, Jury and Judge. This is a travesty of justice. All media entities should protest vehemently. The government must scrap the Shut down order forthwith.

The ban though for 48 hours was lifted in 12 hours. "Glad wisdom has dawned on the Govt in the face of the widespread outcry against this outrageous decision. Trust the bureaucrats responsible for this undemocratic behaviour will be pulled up& taught the limits of their arbitrary authority. Our freedoms must be fought for every day".

I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar said: Two Kerala dailies were banned for 48 hours, we immediately found out what actually happened and therefore immediately we restored the channels. Our basic thought process is that press freedom is absolutely essential for a democratic setup.

Prakash Javadekar:And that is commitment of Modi Govt as we fought emergency in which press freedom was muzzled. So,even PM expressed concern on this issue.I will go into details&take essential steps if any wrongdoing.Also, everybody accepts it has to be responsible freedom (2/2)

The problem isn't just about local south sold out channels that we are seeing it on daily basis , but about the strong perception created against India and Hindus by the western media ... What action would government initiate against BBC , CNN , WSJ , Alzazeera; if not against Republic and Times now?

Interestingly, on being surprised by sudden ban, not knowing the reason, posted on FB wall - and the Blind Bhakth's response was "will ask Amith Shah to call you to discuss with you everything before it implemented.. okay". It's really sad to see curb on right to information and Freedom of press. Another thing is PM calling out RG Tubelight in Parliament, did it take him so much of time to impose the ban if the reason mentioned is right?