Airwaves On Leash

Freedom of the Press—that hallowed mainstay of democratic principle—is being traduced in newborn Telangana, ruled by chief minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS). A swaggering KCR had recently declared that media houses that insult the culture, identity and pride of Telangana under the garb of freedom of speech would be buried 10 km under the ground. Of course, he and his party would decide whether something is insulting or not.

National TV newschannels reacted with anger and consternation. The CM remained unperturbed. KCR’s statement came while reacting to black flags by protesting journalists of TV channels TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyoti in Warangal. For the past three months, the two channels had faced a blanket ban by cable operators in Telangana, primarily Hyderabad. TV9 had aired a satire, poking fun at newly sworn-in Telangana mlas and their sudden sense of self-importance. The lawmakers were reportedly described as behaving like those who are used to toddy being served Scotch. The channel was quick to aplogise, but the damage had been done.

The sins of ABN are unclear yet, but Multi System Operators (MSO) say that Andhra Jyoti newspaper, from the same group that owns ABN, has consistently insulted the Telangana culture. Andhra Jyoti editor-in-chief and ABN MD V. Radhakrishna denies the cha­rges. “Yes, we have been critical of the TRS government’s policies but that does not make us anti-Telangana. We’ve always suppo­rted the statehood cause.” Rad­ha­krishna feels that a ABN report show­ing KCR’s son K.T. Rama Rao being involved in illegal land deals lies behind the ban. K.T. Rama Rao said the story was malicious and sued ABN.

Contrary to reports, cable operators deny any pressure from the KCR government. TV9 and ABN journalists say the MSOs are caught in the middle. “You can’t blame the poor guys. They have no say in the matter,” says Radhakrishna. But he says such intolerance “is a dangerous precedent”.

Though backroom manoeuvres are on to placate the chief minister, a breakthrough is yet to come and worried employees of both channels have staged dharnas in front of the cmo and Raj Bhavan. Dinesh Akula, executive editor of TV9, says the ban is also unlawful, since both the Union I&B Ministry and the TDSAT have issued orders to restore telecast. But the ban remains in place. It is estimated that TV9 has an advertising revenue of Rs 6 crore and ABN around Rs 1 crore. “TV9 is losing 50 per cent of its revenue...,” says Akula. Radhakrishna says he is able to sustain the channel only because he has the newspaper to fall back on.

Many think KCR, given his antipathy for a critical media, is making an example of the two channels, both owned by Andhraites. ABN Andhra Jyoti is a clearly a staunch supporter of the Telugu Desam. K.T. Rama Rao, while denying the role of the government, says the concept of an impartial media no longer exists. “Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly given live telecast rights to V. Radhakrishna. How can we call Andhra Jyoti impartial?” he asks.

Sreenivas Reddy of the Indian Journalists Union says that cable operators in various meetings have expressed their helplessness as they are being threatened by the ruling party.

However, journalist T. Ashok says KCR’s idiomatic statement need not be taken literally, and that he certainly does not intend to bury anyone. “He expressed the anger of the people of Telangana. But...perhaps he can now take back his statement,” says Ashok.

A Press Council of India panel appointed by Justice Markandey Katju has conducted a two-day inquiry in Hyderabad and Warangal into the matter and  met employees of the channels that are not being distributed.

While KCR remains unyielding and adamant, media institutions are exploring avenues to bring about a resolution and relax conditions too stifling for the media to operate.