Channel to face action for anti-Telangana show despite apology

Hyderabad: Telugu news channel TV9 is in trouble after insulting the legislature. In a first case of breach of privilege and showing disrespect to the legislature of the new Telangana state, legislators of both the Houses unanimously  authorised Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council Chairman to take appropriate action as per the rules against the TV channel for airing an offensive programme recently.

TV9 had telecast Bullet News, a political satire on June 3, showing pro term Speaker K. Jana Reddy, MLAs and visuals of oath taking ceremony in a negative light besides using slang while commenting on the legislators. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao told the Assembly that the government has taken serious view of the programme and would initiate appropriate action in consultation with all members.  He also lashed out at Andhra Jyothy, a Telugu daily, for publishing false stories about the government.

He even threatened that the government would take over cable TV network on the lines of Tamil Nadu if TV channels fail to mend their ways. Mr Rao acquired the CD of the programme and arranged a screening of the same for legislators of both the Houses on Saturday. “It’s a highly offensive programme. MLAs and MLCs were shocked at the TV show. They have  authorised the Speaker and the council chairman to take appropriate action,” said minister for irrigation and legislative affairs T. Harish Rao.  

Though TV 9 has sent a letter to the Speaker S. Madhusudana Chary offering unconditional apology, the legislature is in no mood to relent. “It’s atrocious, to say the least. It was a deliberate attempt to demean legislators. The channel deserves to be punished,” said agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy.