Who is the Broadcasting regulator?

In a moment of flipping channels at the Prime Time, 9-10 pm with your family around, you will be shocked to flip by mistake to FTV, Fashion Television.

As at this family prime time, FTV broadcasts “Midnight Hot”; a semi nude photography program; it is a clear breach of conduct as per the “Cable Television Network Rules, 1994” Act. (Following link explicates what is shown in this Program http://www.ftv.com/online/page.php?P=200)

It is shocking that Prasar Bharti, which is responsible for being the watchdog, is just hibernating. I am not aware, about any warnings issued by the Union information and Broadcasting Ministry. Respected Minister, Mr. Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi please look what your National viewers are offered to watch at Prime time.

I am aware there are various Commissions under Indian Government working on censorship framework, but does that mean till these committees findings are debated and implemented, the Indian family will have to wait with embarrassment that they don’t flip the wrong channel.

Following is the highlights of the act:

THE CABLE TELEVISION NETWORKS RULES, 1994

[29TH SEPTEMBER, 1994]

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 22 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Ordinance, 1994 (9 of 1994)*, the Central Government makes the following rules, namely

6. Programme code.

(1) No programme should be carried in the cable service which-

(k) denigrates women through the depiction in any manner of the figure of a woman, her form or body or any part thereof in such a way as to have the effect of being indecent, or derogatory to women, or is likely to deprave, corrupt or injure the public morality or morals ;

(l) denigrates children;

(2) The cable operator should strive to carry programmes in his cable service which project women in a positive, leader ship role of sobriety, moral and character building qualities.

(3) Programmes meant for adults should normally be carried in the cable service after 11 p.m. and before 6 a.m.

* Now the cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 (7 of 1995).
1.Subs. by G.S.R. 820(E), dated 28th December, 1995 (w.e.f. 28-12-1995)

I am not giving a comparative Censorship frameworks followed in other countries as I am not the Subject Matter Expert on this. But my concern is till guidelines are set, we cannot have status quo on Derogatory program content at least during primetime for family viewers.

Navendu Shirali