Why Only Tamil Channels Critical of Vijay Facing Problems? Annamalai Targets TVK Govt

Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai on Tuesday accused the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government of attempting to suppress media outlets critical of its administration, after the Tamil Nadu government's fact-check unit acknowledged that the broadcast of three news channels had been affected on some set-top boxes.

In a post on social media, Annamalai thanked the government for admitting that the telecast of three channels had been disrupted. However, he questioned why only media organisations that allegedly expose the shortcomings of the TVK government were facing "technical issues" on cable television set-top boxes.

"How is it that technical problems arise only for media outlets that highlight the failures of the TVK government?" he asked, suggesting that the disruption was not a mere coincidence.

Annamalai also criticised the Tamil Nadu Fact Check platform, alleging that it was continuing the same role it had played under the previous DMK government. He claimed the platform was being used to present falsehoods and distortions as facts before the public.

"This is not change. It is the same old deception with a different appearance," he said, taking a swipe at the current administration.

His remarks came in response to a clarification issued by TN Fact Check regarding reports circulating on social media that three Tamil news channels - Polimer News, News Tamil 24x7 and Tamil Janam - had been removed from the Tamil Nadu government cable television network.

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

Rejecting the claims, TN Fact Check described the reports as "false information". It stated that the three channels had not been removed from the Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation's network.

According to the clarification, the channels were temporarily unavailable only on certain set-top boxes due to technical issues. The affected television channels had already been informed about the problem, the statement said.

TN Fact Check further explained that extensive work was under way through Mantra Industries Limited, the contracted company responsible for resolving the issue. It also dismissed allegations that the disruption was linked to pending payments owed to the set-top box provider, calling such claims incorrect.

The fact-check unit urged the public not to spread misinformation regarding the issue.

The controversy has sparked a political debate, with the BJP alleging targeted action against critical media outlets, while the government maintains that the interruption was purely technical and temporary.