Airing of illegal foreign channels worries Vasco cable operators
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, AUG 18
Some cable operators in the port town have voiced concern over the broadcasting of unauthorised foreign channels in the State, even though the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has termed such channels as unauthorized.
In a circular, the Director and Secretary of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed the chief secretary to initiate action against illegal and unauthorised television channels being broadcast on cable networks.
Around five months back, the South Goa District Collector had convened a meeting with cable operators from Goa and had directed them not to broadcast 26 foreign channels, especially from South East Asian countries – Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, beside a few channels from the Gulf countries like Dubai and UAE, including Al-Jazeera News Channel.
Collector G P Naik had stated that under the cable TV Network Rules, cable operators may carry only those channels in their cable TV network which are registered with the ministry under the Downlinking Policy guidelines.
Since the 26 channels have not registered with Downlinking Policy guidelines, they prohibited from broadcasting such channels.
Naik cautioned all cable operators to be careful and act as responsible citizens and refrain from broadcasting channels which are against the interest and security of the country.
“Despite this meeting, a few cable operators are broadcasting some unauthorised channels in Vasco,” alleged a cable operator from Vasco, while speaking to Herald on condition of anonymity.
“Since these few cable operators are broadcasting unauthorised channels, our customers are also pressuring us to broadcast such channels,” added the cable operator.
Incidentally, the Act empowers the District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Magistrate and Superintendent of Police to seize the equipment of cable operators if they are found transmitting any unregistered channels.
