Al Jazeera may have to shut down broadcast in India
Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, August 24
Al Jazeera, English television channel, may have to shut down its broadcast in India as the government has withdrawn its security clearance.
As per the Economic Times, no explanation was given, however, the decision seems to have been triggered from a documentary aired by the channel on militancy in Jammu and Kashmir that the government said was “biased”.
A security clearance from the Home Ministry is required for any channel to broadcast in India, while the licence is attained from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
The security clearance was given to the channel by the Home Ministry on December 3, 2010, and withdrawn on May 29, 2018, as per documents. And now it all depends on the Home Ministry.
Al Jazeera English is run by AJI International Pvt Ltd. Al Jazeera English executives declined to comment, as per ET.
As per ET, the channel told the government in its representation that the documentary on militant networks in Kashmir devoted a substantial 10 minutes to the central government’s efforts and the views of its officials.
In 2015, the channel was suspended for five days because it showed an incorrect map of India with respect to Jammu and Kashmir.
