Congress, AAP file petition to EC to take action against NaMo TV

The Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday flagged serious concerns to the Election Commission regarding the recently launched Content TV/NAMO TV, requesting urgent and necessary directions to the I&B ministry and DTH service providers to take strict action against it.

The Congress, in its memorandum, asked the EC to pass strictures against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP for using the channel as a political campaign tool during the model code of conduct (MCC).

The Congress further alleged that the said channel runs 24 hours a day and surprisingly, there are no commercial advertisements or programmes aired on it, thereby raising suspicion on the funding and sponsorship of the channel.

The Congress said that the website of I&B Ministry does not find mention of either 'NAMO TV' or 'Content TV' in the list of "permitted private satellite TV channels" as updated on March 30, 2019.

Two conclusions can be drawn from this, either the Content TV is being broadcast as a government-sponsored channel or it has got no official clearance from the I&B Ministry and is being broadcast in complete violation of the rules and regulations of cable televisions, the Congress party's memorandum said.

It accused the said channel of violating several laws including sections 126 (1) (b) and 127A of the Representation of People's Act, Rule 7 (3) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, and 171H of the Indian Penal Code besides violating various directions and orders passed by the Supreme Court and the Election Commission itself.

Referring to various judgments of the Supreme Court to ensure a level playing field for all political parties, the AAP too has asked if the BJP had sought approval for the launch of the channel.

"Can permission be granted to a party to have their own TV channel even after the model code of conduct is enforced? If no permission was sought by the ECI then, what action has been taken?" asked AAP in the complaint letter.

It also asked the poll watchdog, "Did BJP approach the Media Certification Committee established to certify the contents of the telecast and cost of the telecast? If not, why was show-cause notice not issued for the violation of MCC? Who will monitor the content of the telecast?"

The Election Commission spokesperson said, it is currently examining the complaints and will revert when due decisions are taken.

The channel in question was launched last week and it promotes PM Narendra Modi and is devoted to giving coverage of all his speeches, rallies and programmes. It also promotes his biography and achievements. It is unclear as to who owns it, who runs it and where it get contents from.

Meanwhile, in another violation-related matter, the Facebook said it has removed 15 pages and accounts linked to individuals related to an Indian IT firm named Silver Touch, a company associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's NaMo app.

Course Of Action

The Election Commission spokesperson said, it is currently examining the complaints and will revert when due decisions are taken. The channel in question was launched last week