Centre issues Show-Cause to T-MSOs

July 25, 2014 13:47
Centre issues Show-Cause to T-MSOs

The Central government has finally responded on the discontinuity of news channels ABN AndhraJyothy and TV9 in Telangana state by issue show-cause notice to the Telangana MSOs. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and TRAI [Telecom Regulatory Authority of India] both have issued notice to T-MSOs at once.

Earlier I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar and Centre had written to Telangana government seeking an explanation in the ban of channels, however there has been no response till date. With several representatives putting pressure the Centre to intervene in the issue and finally a move from the government occured. The government has issued notice according to Cable Television Network Rules, 1994, under clause 16 and sought an answer within three days.

TRAI has asked why the channels were blocked in Telangana. While on the other side, MPs from various political parties are gearing up to quiestion the government and why it failed to take any action against MSOs. Renuka Choudhary, V Hanumantha Rao, Palvai Govardhan Reddy, MA Khan, Gundu Sudharani are heard to be prepared to question the Centre in Rajya Sabha today. While former minister Vayalar Ravi might support the MPs arguments in the house.

The show-cause notice said, from June 16th ABN and TV9 channels were banned without giving any prior information to the subcribers or TV channels management and this has come to our notice. According to the TRAI 2012 regulations, MSOs should give notice to subcribers and TV channels at least 15 days before taking any action and they should also be published in local newspapers so that the subcribers will have information regarding ban of channels. In non-Dos areas, the subcribers needed to be informed at least three weeks before blocking channel but the cable operators or MSOs have not done this. In accordance with the Cable Television Network Rules 1994, every authority or cable operator or MSO have to follow the guidelines and regulations and if failed to issue notice before blocking, cable operators and MSOs can be punished under sub-Rule 16. These are clear violation of TRAI and Cable Laws. Within three days an appropriate reply should be given as well as the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, in accordance with Article 7 of the cable operator is required to submit a copy of the register of their maintenance.

Also TRAI has sought an explanation by August 11th 2014.

(AW: Vamshi)

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