AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday complained that the telecast of three Tamil television channels on the platform of Arasu Cable TV was blocked.

In a post on his social media handle, Mr. Palaniswami named the channels as Polimer News, News Tamil TV 24X7, and Tamil Janam News. He recalled how another TV channel, Puthiya Thalaimurai, had met with a similar fate a few weeks ago, and it was only after the protest by the Opposition that the channel was being telecast again. He wondered whether there was any “Censor Board” in operation to monitor what appeared on electronic media and social media.

He alleged that sections of the media were being “threatened” by a private firm, using the name of the Minister’s office, and this firm was said to have been entrusted with the functions of the Arasu Cable TV. Mr. Palaniswami called upon the State government to ensure that the telecast of the channels was being carried out without any interruption.

‘Act of vengeance’

Former BJP state president K. Annamalai urged the TVK-led government to reverse the reported removal of the channels from the Arasu Cable TV. In a social media post, he alleged that the broadcast of three channels was only blocked because they aired reports on the widespread power supply interruptions, alleged inefficiency of the TVK government, and other issues facing the general public. It was an act of vengeance, he said.

“In a democracy, blocking news is not the solution. This is a bad approach. I urge the TVK government to resume broadcast of these channels on Arasu Cable TV,” Mr. Annamalai added.

AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran also condemned the blocking of the channels on Arasu Cable TV.