Three Tamil news channels that have frequently carried reports critical of the TVK government’s handling of issues such as power outages, governance failures and public grievances have found themselves unavailable on sections of the Tamil Nadu Government Cable TV Corporation (TACTV) network, triggering accusations of censorship and political vendetta.
The controversy erupted after viewers reported that Polimer News, News Tamil 24×7 and Tamil Janam were no longer accessible through government cable connections. Questions were immediately raised over why only these three channels had been affected and whether the disruption was linked to their editorial coverage of the government.
தமிழக அரசு கேபிள் ஒளிபரப்பிலிருந்து, @polimernews, @NewsTamilTV24x7 மற்றும் @TamilJanamNews ஆகியவை நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாகத் தெரிகிறது.
அரசு கேபிள் நிறுவனம், செட்டாப் பாக்ஸ் நிறுவனத்துக்கு வைத்திருக்கும் நிலுவைத் தொகை காரணமாக, ஒளிபரப்பு நிறுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளதாகக் காரணம் கூறப்படுகிறது.…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) June 9, 2026
We have reported earlier that Tamil Janam has been consistently blocked by the DMK government in the previous regime and now it continues in the TVK regime too.
Tamil Janam is consistently blacklisted by the ruling establishment in Tamil Nadu. TVK = DMK (XXL) https://t.co/lEZj5FJxOc pic.twitter.com/Q8hQoCETNM
— Anand T Prasad (@itisatp) June 9, 2026
Initial claims circulating on social media alleged that the channels had effectively been removed from the government cable network and that the disruption was linked to payment disputes involving the cable distribution system.
However, the Tamil Nadu government’s Fact Check Unit moved swiftly to dismiss these reports as misinformation.
In a statement, TN Fact Check said, “False Information Circulating About Removal of 3 News Channels From Government Cable Network.
Circulating Claim
False information is being circulated on social media claiming that the news channels Polimer News, News Tamil 24X7, and Tamil Janam have been removed from the Tamil Nadu government’s cable television network.
What Is the Truth?
This claim is false.
Reports stating that Polimer News, News Tamil 24X7, and Tamil Janam News have been removed from the Tamil Nadu Government Cable TV Corporation’s broadcasting network are incorrect.
Due to technical issues, the three channels could not be broadcast temporarily on only some set-top boxes. The concerned television channels have already been informed about the issue.
Work to rectify the problem is being carried out on a war footing through the contracted company, Mantra Industries Limited.
The claim that the disruption in transmission was caused by outstanding payments owed to the set-top box company is also false.
Do not spread misinformation.”
அரசு கேபிள் ஒளிபரப்பிலிருந்து 3 செய்தி சேனல்கள் நீக்கம் என பரவும் தவறான தகவல்
பரவும் செய்தி
தமிழக அரசு கேபிள் ஒளிபரப்பிலிருந்து பாலிமர், நியூஸ் தமிழ் 24X7 மற்றும் தமிழ் ஜனம் ஆகிய செய்தி சேனல்கள் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக சமூக வலைதளங்களில் தவறான தகவல் பரவி வருகிறது.
உண்மை என்ன ?
இது… pic.twitter.com/RbEZYLrvGO
— TN Fact Check (@tn_factcheck) June 9, 2026
TVK Education Minister Rajmohan subsequently echoed the same explanation, stating, “The reports claiming that the three channels have been removed are false. Due to technical issues, the three channels could not be broadcast temporarily on only some set-top boxes. The concerned television channels have been informed about the issue. Full-scale efforts are currently underway through the contracted company, Mantra Industries Limited, to rectify the problem.”
மூன்று சேனல்கள் நீக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன என்ற செய்தி தவறானது. சம்மந்தப்பட்ட மூன்று சேனல்களை தொழில்நுட்ப பிரச்சனைகள் காரணத்தால் தற்காலிகமாக சில செட் ஆஃப் பாக்ஸ்களில் மட்டும் ஒளிபரப்பு செய்ய இயலவில்லை. இது தொடர்பாக சம்பந்தப்பட்ட தொலைக்காட்சி சேனல்களுக்கு தகவல் தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. இதனை…
— Rajmohan (@imrajmohan) June 9, 2026
While both the Fact Check Unit and the minister denied that the channels had been removed, their explanation effectively acknowledged that the broadcasts of the three channels had indeed been disrupted on at least some set-top boxes.
This has raised a fundamental question: if the issue is merely technical, why were only these three channels affected?
The explanation has been met with skepticism, particularly because the affected channels are among those that have consistently reported on power outages, governance issues and other matters reflecting poorly on the TVK government. Observers have questioned how a technical fault could seemingly impact only media outlets that frequently highlight the government’s shortcomings.
The episode has also renewed scrutiny of the TN Fact Check Unit itself. It has been long argued that the platform functions less as an independent fact-checking mechanism and more as a government communication arm tasked with defending the ruling establishment. The TN Fact Check Unit, which was created during the previous DMK government, continues to play the same role under the TVK administration by dismissing politically inconvenient allegations as misinformation.
குறிப்பிட்ட மூன்று ஊடகங்களின் ஒளிபரப்பும் தடைப்பட்டுள்ளது என்பதை ஒப்புக்கொண்டமைக்கு முதலில் நன்றி. அது எப்படி, தவெக ஆட்சியின் அவலநிலையை வெளிப்படுத்தும் ஊடகங்களுக்கு மட்டும், செட்டாப் பாக்ஸில் தொழில்நுட்பப் பிரச்சினைகள் வரும்?
பொய்களையும், புரட்டுகளையும், மக்கள் மத்தியில் உண்மை… https://t.co/A20P15h4Ar
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) June 10, 2026
The controversy itself seems to be evidence that despite promises of political change, little has actually changed in practice.
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