KOCHI: The transmission ban on Malayalam news channel MediaOne will continue as the channel’s appeal plea was rejected by the division bench of the high court. The division bench comprising the chief justice upheld the order of the single bench.
The single bench had earlier rejected the plea submitted by MediaOne. The channel soon approached the division bench questioning the order. The central government had argued in the court that the ban is based on the reports by various agencies suggesting MedioOne’s links with national security issues. The centre which stated that more information cannot be disclosed in an open court, later submitted the documents, in a specially sealed cover, before the court. The decision of the division bench was based on the examination of the documents.
The writ plea was filed in the division bench by Media Broadcasting limited, MediaOne editor Pramod Raman and Kerala Journalists’ Union. The petitioners claimed that they have not been informed about the reasons for the ban. The channel’s transmission was banned on January 31.The channel authorities have decided to approach the Supreme Court, following the rejection of the plea by the division bench.