TV9 taken off air in Mangaluru and Udupi too

TV9 taken off air in Mangaluru and Udupi too

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Nov 25, 2014: TV9 news channel has been taken off  air by the  Cable Operators Association   in Mangaluru and Udupi too as elsewhere in the state, reportedly following a directive  from a state minister for allegedly airing news against the state government. The channel is not available since 6 pm on November 24, Monday evening.

TV9 channel has alleged that  State Energy Minister DK Shivakumar during  a recent meeting with cable operators had ordered to take the channel off air lest pay huge taxes and penalty.

The State Cable Operators Association in a message to its members has said the TV9  style of functioning since the past few days and the news against the state government aired by it  seemed to be adversely affecting the cable industry.

The Association further stated that the government had been suitably responding to their appeal against not increasing taxes and to  allow laying of optic fibre cables on desired routes. 

As we we are in no position to pay higher taxes  due to loses owing to digitalization, we had met TV9 authorities and had requested against airing anti-government news. But they did not heed to our appeal, forcing us to issue instructions to all operators to  take TV9 and News9 off air until further orders.

However, this development has drawn flak for the government from various corners as well as the BJP which has been lashing out against the government for trying to curb freedom of Press.