NEW DELHI: Anguished by frequent arbitrary action of cable operators to switch off cable without assigning any reason, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) today urged the government to take cognizance of the same and take necessary action against such cable operators and individuals.

The NBA has condemned ‘such illegal and arbitrary actions by cable operators or the powers that be‘.

It described this as a direct attack on the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

NBA said recently the audio of news channels was switched off in Punjab.

Similarly, "it is understood that a novel method was chosen to black out television news channels when electricity was switched off" in Athani and Belgavi in Karnataka to ensure that the reporting of the incidents in Karnataka Assembly could not be telecast.