Cash-for-vote scam: News channel temporarily blocked in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: At a time when cash for vote row is winding Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, following the arrest of Telangana TD MLA A Revanth Reddy broadcasting of a news channel is temporarily taken down across Andhra Pradesh.

The channel NTV which is following up the cash for vote case in detail including telecasting complete video and audio tapes acquired by Telangana ACB to prove Revanth Reddy and Mr Chandrababu Naidu are guilty is allegedly blocked in all urban areas and district head quarters across the state.

The channel was blocked three days ago in some parts of the state and other areas on Monday. This act by the MSOs is said to be driven by the ruling Telugu Desam leaders who are concerned over diminishing reputation of Mr Chandrababu Naidu and the party. Months ago Telangana government stopped broadcast of ABN Andhra Jyothi, a news channel supporting Telugu Desam for telecasting derogatory content against Telangana leaders.

Andhra Pradesh MSOs Association P Sai Babu denied banning of the channel in Andhra Pradesh. When contacted Mr Sai Babu said a technical error occurred and the problem would be rectified in a couple of days.

Sources said that upon request of Telugu Desam leaders the channels is blocked temporarily as a warning for telecasting the cash for vote scam in detail. Sources also said that another news channel Saskhi owned by YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy too would be blocked. Sakshi is one of the two channels that aired audio tape of Mr Naidu speaking to Telangana nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson initially. This is being seen as a threat to freedom of press in the two states. Telugu Desam leaders severely condemned Telangana government when it blocked two news channels in the state earlier.