NEW DELHI: Networks such as Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabia and QTV were taken off the air, as they did not conform to the downlinking guidelines, Government informed Parliament on Tuesday. It also denied reports that these channels were banned under pressure from Israel.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said: ``This is a malicious and baseless accusation against the Government by interested quarters.'' Denying the reports ``vehemently'', he said the three channels had not applied to be downlinked in India till date. ``Hence they cannot be transmitted/re-transmitted through cable networks/DTH.''

However, the Minister clarified that they could still apply afresh for registration under the downlinking guidelines issued on November 11 last year. As many as 65 channels uplinking from abroad had applied for registration till May 10; meeting the six-month deadline.

Justifying the downlinking policy, Mr. Dasmunsi said the guidelines were issued to strengthen the mechanism of regulation over the content of television channels, which were being transmitted/re-transmitted through cable networks/DTH in India for public viewing.

Though the guidelines had mandated that channels uplinking from abroad should register in India by May 10, 2006, this was relaxed at the eleventh hour. After the relaxation, channels were required to only apply for registration by May 11. Channels which had applied for registration by then have been allowed to stay on air for another six months or till such time a decision is taken on the application.

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