Centre blocks MediaOne broadcasting over unspecified security reasons

Kozhikode: The Union government has blocked the broadcasting of Media One, the popular Malayalam language news channel. Editor Pramod Raman said details of the government directive, which was said to be for security reasons, were not available and the broadcast had been suspended.

This is the second time that the telecast of Media One has been blocked by the Union government. On the earlier occasion in March 2020, another popular Malayalam news channel Asianet also was blocked along with MediaOne

In a brief message to its audience, the channels' Editor Pramod Raman said "The Central Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has again blocked the broadcast of MediaOne, citing security reasons. The government has not made its details available to MediaOne.

The message also says that MediaOne has initiated legal steps against the order and the channel assures its dear audience that once it is complete, it hopes to be back on air. He said that the broadcast is being suspended now with the hope that justice will prevail.

Sources said Madhyamam that the channel has approached Kerala High Court, which will consider the case at 3 pm today.

Meanwhile, Kerala's opposition leader VD Satheeshan said that blocking of MediaOne channel again by the Union government is undemocratic.

"The government has not cited any reason to block the channel. This is a clear violation of natural justice, ", Satheeshan added.

He also said that the Union government has the responsibility to clarify the ground on which the channel was blocked.

"The policy of Sangh parivar, which always shows intolerance towards news that opposes them, is evident in this case as well, " said the opposition leader. Calling the suspension an encroachment into the media freedom, the Congress leader made a call for a massive protest against the Centre's unilateral move against the MediaOne.