Chaitra Krushna Panchami
M Saleem Pandit
Srinagar: In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday evening banned airing of Pakistani and local ‘unauthorized’ news channels. While the local channels have been asked to shut shop for allegedly blackmailing and practising yellow journalism, the state government hasn’t specified any reason for imposing a ban on Pakistani channels.
Srinagar district magistrate, exercising his powers under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995, issued the order banning Pakistani channels – Geo, PTV, ARY and AAJ and local channels, which have witnessed a boom in last five years. "Frequent complaints about the content of local channels prompted the ban," Srinagar deputy commissioner Sheikh Ajaz Iqbal said.
Patronised, in many cases by former terrorists, local news channels have also been allegedly arousing separatist feelings. Separatists used to buy airtime on these channels, sources said.
Interestingly, the local channels used to be registered with the office of the postmaster in Srinagar and other districts at an annual fee of Rs 600. The channels were operating without I&B’s permission and compliance to Cable Television Network (regulation) Act, 1995.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
