The Ministry of Information and Communications has directed the chief district officers of Sunsari and Morgan districts to halt the operation of the TV channels, which have been registered as terrestrial channels but are operating though cable networks. [break]
The ministry has written to the district administration offices to ensure that the TV channels operate as per the mandate in the transmission permission given to them and to stop their present mode of transmission. Following the direction from the ministry, Itahari-based Arena Television has come to a halt while a joint team of Morang district administration officials and other authorities concerned have raided Biratnagar-based Makalu TV and directed it to stop transmissions immediately.
Assistant Chief District Officer of Moranag, Prem Luitel, said that Makalu TV, which had acquired transmission permission as a terrestrial channel, was found operating only through cable network and it has been directed to cease doing so. The joint team also visited three cable TV network operators in Biratnagar and directed them not to feature Makalu and Himshikhar TV channels in their networks.
“We have directed the TV channels breaching their transmission mandate to stop immediately. We will take legal action if they do not comply,” Luitel said.
Makalu TV, which was earlier based in Itahari, had acquired transmission permission two months ago as a terrestrial TV station but operated through cable only.
The operation of terrestrial television channels through cable network is against the National Broadcasting Regulations 2069 (2012), Sixth Amendment. Under Rule 8(C5) of the regulations, terrestrial TV channels cannot broadcast through satellite or a direct-to-home transmission system.
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