Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 18: The Government today ordered cable operators to immediately shut telecasting and transmitting of over 30 TV channels including Pakistani, Iranian and Islamic in Kashmir for maintaining peace.
These channels include Peace TV English, Peace TV Urdu, ARY QTV, Madni Channel, Noor TV, Hadi TV, Paigam, Hidayat, Saudi Al-Sunnah Al-Nabawiyah, Saudi-Al-Quran Al-Karim, Sehar, Karbala TV, Ahli-biat TV, Message TV, Hum TV, ARY Digital Asia, Hum Sitaray, ARY Zindagi, ARY Musik, TV One, ARY Masala, ARY Zauq, A TV, Geo News, ARY News Asia, Abb Takk News, Waseb TV, 92 News, Duniya News, Samna News, Geo Tez, Express-News and ARY News. Click here to watch video
An order issued by the Additional District Commissioner (ADC), Srinagar (dated July 12), was sent to all heads of cable operators in Srinagar today. The order accused the cable operators of “telecasting and transmitting unpermitted and banned private satellite channels within the jurisdiction of Srinagar district.”
“J&K Government, Home Department, vide Ps/home/2018-60 dated July 2, 2018, has reported that you are telecasting and transmitting unpermitted and banned private satellite channels within Srinagar,” read the order.
“It has become necessary and expedient in the larger interest of public and maintenance of peace and tranquillity to prohibit (you) from transmitting non-permitted TV channels (which are not permitted by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting).”
The order also said now, therefore, in an exercise of powers conferred by Section 19 of Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 “you are hereby directed to immediately stop telecasting/transmitting non-permitted TV channels/banned private satellite channels within three days.”
The cable operators also have been asked to furnish affidavit before the ADC Srinagar. In case they fail to submit the affidavit, the order read “action under the provision of CTN (regulation) Act 1995 will be taken against you”.
Meanwhile, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today expressed resentment over prohibition on transmission of 30 TV channels. President, KCCI, Javid Ahmad Tenga voiced concern at the prohibition on transmission of particular channels by the State.
He said most of these channels are predominantly religious or news channels with a huge following amongst the Muslim majority of Kashmir and in case it is felt that some channels are a threat to peace and tranquility of the State, they may be identified and banned. “We see no reason to prohibit the transmission of channels related to religion and news. We shall also be taking up this issue with I&B Ministry, but in the meantime the State Government need to identify particular channels which pose a threat and the rest of the channels should be allowed to be transmitted,” he said.
The spokesman said it needed to be appreciated that a large number of employment is generated in this sector and such prohibitions would adversely impact this sector. “This also infringes upon the religious freedom of the majority community of our State and the State Government is requested to take up this issue with the I&B Ministry as well,” he added.
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