The channels can resume broadcast only at 7.30 pm on March 8

The channels can resume broadcast only at 7.30 pm on March 8

The channels can resume broadcast only at 7.30 pm on March 8

The government on Friday barred two Malayalam news channels, Asianet News and Media One, for 48 hours over their coverage of recent violence in Delhi. An order issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has accused the two channels of being biased and critical of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Delhi Police.

Both Asianet and Media One have been showing a black screen since 7.30 pm. The channels can resume broadcast only at 7.30 pm on March 8.

The ministry said the coverage of Asianet News on the violence was done in a manner “which highlighted the attack on places of worship and siding towards a particular community”. It added that the channel's reporting seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters.

The order cited the same reasons for Media One, but added that the channel “seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS”.

The channel had reported that violence took place mostly in Muslim dominated area of Chand Bagh, the ministry observed in its order. “While telecasting the news, the channel carried the news of stone pelting, arson and injured people being taken to hospital,” it said.

This report could have “incited violence and posed danger to maintenance of law and order situation, particularly when the situation is already highly volatile and charged up and riots are taking place in the area”, the order further said.

The channels have been barred under Rule 6(1 c) and Rule 6(1 e) of the Cable Television Networks Act, 1994.

TAGS