NaMo TV disappears as Lok Sabha Election 2019 voting ends
New Delhi : NaMo TV has disappeared from the TVs exactly how it had appeared on the set top boxes. Considering the timing of its disappearance, many eyebrows have raised. NaMo TV had made its way on various service providers' platform just before the start of 2019 Lok Sabha elections on March 26.
The Opposition had opposed its existence and even complained to Election Commission over its biased content for a politician.
Opposition leaders had called NaMo TV a 'propaganda machine' as it just aired PM Modi's interviews, rallies, and movies which showcased government schemes followed by interviews of other BJP leaders.
The Election Commission asked for an explanation from the I&B ministry on approving the telecast of the channel. The I&B ministry's response added fuel to fire. According to the ministry, NaMo TV was an advertisement based platform distributed by several Direct to Home operators, the expenses of which were borne by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The ministry had further clarified, by stating that NaMo TV wasn't a registered channel that needs permission to air.
DTH operators such as Tata Sky, Videocon and Dish TV all aired NaMo TV as a free-to-air service, meaning subscribers did not have to pay to view the channel. The channel was available throughout the length and breadth of the country for the entire duration of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.