The Information and Broadcast (I&B) ministry on Saturday lifted the 48-hour ban on two Kerala-based television news channels-Asianet News and Media One over its coverage on Delhi riots, and are currently back on the air.
Union Minister Prakash Javdekar informed that the channels were restored, saying that press freedom is 'absolutely essential' for the country's democratic ethos.
"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," Javdekar said.
He emphasised the government's commitment towards striving for press freedom, citing the period of emergency during Indira Gandhi's rule-a time when the members of the erstwhile Bharatiya Jan Sangh party (now BJP) fought for the fundamental democratic right of the press to be restored.
"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," Javdekar added.
The Ministry had barred the two Malayalam TV channels for their 'coverage of the Delhi riots', and were taken off the air at 7.30 pm on Friday.
The action against the two channels was taken under the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.
The Ministry has alleged that the coverage was provocative, could have incited violence, were biased and critical of the RSS and Delhi police, sided with a particular community and showed those who supported the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in poor light.
“It appeared that the telecast of the reports on North-East Delhi violence had been shown in a manner that highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community. The channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters. It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. The channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS,” the I&B Ministry's order stated.
MediaOne's claim that Delhi Police remained inactive during the violence and accusations on cops vandalising shops and fruit carts also did not sit well with the government.
“The channel also reported that violence took place mostly in Muslim dominated area of Chand Bagh, Delhi. While telecasting the news, the channel carried the news of stone pelting, arson and injured people being taken to hospital,” the order said.
Asianet News's coverage of violence in Jaffrabad during which Delhi police remained "mute spectators" led to the temporary ban. The TV channel's report that claimed that rioters attacked houses of Muslims in Hindu majority areas and fired at each other with slogans of 'Jai Sri Ram' and 'Azadi' in the air led to the government action.
