No censorship but won’t allow cable monopoly: CM
Friday, 07/07/2017
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CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ruled out any censorship against the Fastway cable network or PTC News channel, but adding a caveat that action will be taken against them if found guilty of tax violations.
In a statement issued here, the CM said his government was committed to provide a levelplaying field to TV channels and cable operators and that he would not indulge in vendetta politics.
“But whosoever is found guilty of any tax violations or any other action against the law of the land will be penalised,” the statement read.
Amarinder said he was committed to bring an end to the cable mafia in Punjab and will welcome any organisation to compete in a healthy environment.
“Let them all come and compete for the viewers’ attention. People will automatically reject any channel disseminating biased news or information,” he said. “It is in the interest of the people of Punjab to be exposed to multiple TV channels and they are mature enough to pick unbiased and neutral information.”
He said ending monopoly did not mean imposing censorship on any channel or shutting down the operations of a cable network.
The government, he said, would make sure people get the choice they deserve and are not forced to consume biased coverage dished out by some channel having monopoly. He said his government would extend all possible help to any new channels or cable operators seeking to set up shops in Punjab.
