Jagan Government Bans ABN and TV5 in AP?

Andhrajyothy Newspaper has published an item this morning stating the Government is upset with ABN – Andhrajyothy and TV5 for taking an anti-Government stance and has stopped the telecast of these channels all over the state. The Paper claimed that CM Jaganmohan Reddy ordered ‘these channels should not be seen anywhere in the state’.

Immediately, the Ministers swung into action along with the top officials. They held a meeting with Multi-System Operators (MSOs) when they ordered for stopping ABN and TV5. Andhrajyothy claims that the Chief Minister is upset with the mileage TDP got with the recent Chalo Atmakur Rally.

The report also claimed that the MSOs and Cable Operators tried to dissuade the government from this act saying that the TRAI regulations will not allow stopping of free channels. But the Ministers are in not a mood to listen and blackmailed them with the induction of AP Fibernet in their areas if they do not budge.

It may be known to our readers that KCR Government also banned ABN and TV9 early during his rule. TV9 management had to make some deal and ABN had to fight a legal battle for around one and half year to get the ban lifted. It is interesting to see Jagan who spoke about Freedom of Media and a Media Owner himself resort to such tactics in Power.