BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 4th February 2024 : The Agartala Press Club and Assembly of Journalists have expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the future of news media broadcasts on cable networks in the state, as indicated by the notification from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
In a press statement, Agartala Press Club secretary Ramakanta Dey mentioned that various media outlets have reported the possibility of the broadcast being halted from 5th February, causing public concern.
“If this occurs, hundreds of journalists, newsreaders, and news workers, including many young women associated with cable news channels in the state, will face unemployment. Over 30 cable news channels in the state are anticipated to suffer significant financial losses. In light of this, the Agartala Press Club urges the Chief Minister of the state to explore alternative possibilities and take sincere initiatives to prevent the potential mass retrenchment of these young women. The Agartala Press Club also appeals to all cable news channel authorities in the state to ensure that media workers are not laid off in emergency situations,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Assembly of Journalists (AOJ), has expressed deep concern about a directive issued a year ago by the state’s cable channels in alignment with the rest of the country. The AOJ is seeking intervention from the state government and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to reconsider the matter.
The Assembly of Journalists has brought this matter to the attention of Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Broadcasting Secretary Apoorva Chandra, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Shiv Shankar, and CS Rajan. The AOJ is demanding necessary concessions for cable channels in Tripura within the specified time frame of the directive and relaxation in the rules for the registration of channels under the relevant laws, taking into account the overall situation in the North Eastern states.
Today, the owners and editors of news channels in Agartala held a meeting on this issue. They claim that since the new regulations began in 2022, they have not received any communication from the DM’s office or the Information and Cultural Affairs department. In response, they have decided to go to Delhi to address the matter.
