NBF applauds Delhi HC order on Andhra news channels blackout case

The Delhi High Court, in its order on Monday, June 24, 2024, directed about 15 multi-system operators to restore the transmission of TV9 Telugu, Saakshi TV, 10TV, and NTV news channel, among others, which had been taken off-air from June 6, 2024, in Andhra Pradesh.

The blackout of several news channels in Andhra Pradesh, including TV9 Telugu, Saakshi TV, 10TV, and NTV since June 6, 2024, had raised serious concerns about press freedom, as it came right the day of election results as well as reports of political pressure being brought upon all the cable operators to blackout these news channels, due to change in political leadership in Andhra Pradesh.

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At the Delhi High Court, TV9 submitted that the disconnection was illegal and against the interconnection agreement signed with the distribution companies, as per rules laid down by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Andhra Pradesh is the largest market in terms of television consumers, with over 65 lakh viewing news via their set-top-boxes. The news channels, serving in public interest, were removed from at least 62 lakh boxes, denying right to information by the audience.

The High Court’s intervention underscores the importance of maintaining an open and transparent media environment, essential for the functioning of a healthy democracy.

The order mandates the immediate restoration of the affected news channels, ensuring that the people of Andhra Pradesh can once again access a broad spectrum of news and viewpoints.

Applauding Delhi High Court order, the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) said, “The landmark order addressing the unilateral and illegal blackout of news channels in Andhra Pradesh, reinforces the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and expression, which are cornerstones of our democratic society.”

NBF further said that it stands firmly in support of this decision and calls upon all relevant authorities to comply with the court’s directive promptly. “We believe that this ruling will set a precedent for upholding press freedom and protecting journalists’ rights across India,” it maintained.

“We commend the Delhi High Court for its steadfast commitment to safeguarding constitutional rights and promoting a free and independent media. This decision is a victory for democracy and a reminder of the vital role that judicial oversight plays in preserving our fundamental freedoms,” the NBF stated.

The Federation affirmed that it will continue to advocate for the rights of journalists and the free flow of information and urged the government and regulatory bodies to take proactive measures to prevent such blackouts in the future and to ensure that media channels can operate without undue interference.