On 9th of November, NDTV India would be banned for 24 hours, as per orders by Modi Government. This is because of the way the channel covered the ‘Pathankot attack coverage’. Yes, the channel has been directed by the Central Government to go off-air, because the coverage revealed some ‘Strategically sensitive’ details of the attack, which could pave way for danger. This attack was carried out on the 2nd of January and the channel covered sensitive information like fuel-tanks, helicopters, mortars, fighter planes and ammunition.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting committee argued that terrorists could have easily used this crucial information in a wrong way, which in turn could have caused a lot of harm to the security of the nation, and also to defense personnel and civilians. But wait, didn’t the other channels too cover this news the same way just like NDTV did? So, why only 1 channel has to bear the brunt? Let us tell you in detail about the nature of NDTV;
Reason for banning NDTV!
Now, NDTV is a very neutral channel. By neutral we mean, it isn’t politically influenced as such. NDTV journalists report the facts fearlessly, without worrying about any sort of political pressure. Yes, they have those ‘Guts’ to speak against BJP government and it seems this hasn’t gone down well with Modiji. If you are still not getting what we are trying to say, let us quote an example. Take for instance ‘Zee News’; it always favors BJP. Yes, never will you find any sort of negative reporting about BJP. So even though the Zee News has covered the Pathankot attack in the same way like NDTV, government will have no issue in that. God knows, when media will get that much-needed freedom.
Amidst all this, the CM of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter and asked other channels to learn a lesson from this 24-hour ban on NDTV. Yes, he warns all the other channels and says that if they speak against Modiji, they are GONE!
Have a look at his tweet..
सुन लो सारे चैनल वालों। अगर मोदी जी की आरती नहीं उतारी तो आपका चैनल भी बंद कर देंगे। https://t.co/IWqyaNSvFX
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 3, 2016
But where’s freedom of speech?
Due to all such pressures, media hesitates to report facts, and this is somewhere affecting us, the PUBLIC. We say ‘India is a democratic nation’ right from our school days, but is it actually so? We pity the condition of media. Recent developments have always raised questions on the quality and quantity of independent news coverage; we can hardly see it these days, isn’t it? Making a strong point on this, Prashant Bhushan, a Supreme Court judge & former colleague of Kejriwal says;
Govt orders shutdown of NDTV for Pathankot coverage while it tomtoms surgical strikes!This is the most serious attack on media & free speech https://t.co/sLb3AAGhQx
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) November 3, 2016
He definitely has a valid point and we do agree with him; what about you? See what people are saying about this on Twitter;
NDTV must challenge this in the court!
Govt's one day ban on NDTV India is arbitrary and perhaps even malafide use of authority. NDTV must challenge this in court right away. 1/2
— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) November 3, 2016
Democracy is at stake!
Let us strongly protest against d govt's out & out autocratic, brazen & intentional step 2 impose 1 day ban on NDTV. Democracy is at stake.
— Basab Basak (@basak_basab) November 3, 2016
Stand up against this fascist ban!
Dear @ndtv please stand up against this fascist @narendramodi govt n challenge the incorrect ban of 24 hours on d channel in court asap
— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) November 3, 2016
This is the scenario!
❌Emergency by Indira –
🇮🇳Mass Arrest & Detain
🇮🇳Ban on Media❌Undeclared Emergency By Modi
🇮🇳Detained @ArvindKejriwal
🇮🇳Banned NDTV India pic.twitter.com/8XvSoNIZGN— Vikash Kedia (@VickyKedia) November 3, 2016
Can prove dangerous!
Hope ndtv challenges the ban order in court without delay. Dangerous if govt given power to ban media. https://t.co/oXFpTV1M0w
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) November 3, 2016
Who will ban Modi?
https://twitter.com/Ikumar7/status/794233949887152128
We agree that whatever information NDTV covered could be dangerous, but shouldn’t other channels be banned too? Do share your views in the comments section below…
