Lok Sabha Question No. 3812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Irregularities by TV Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3812

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017)

## IRREGULARITIES BY TV CHANNELS 3812. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN

Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  information/complaints  about alleged  irregularities  in  the  functioning  of  certain  TV  channels  and  their  allied companies;
- b) if so, the details thereof; and
- c) the stringent action taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  AND BRAODCASTING { COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a) to (c) Permission to uplink and downlink private satellite TV channel is granted in accordance  with  the  extant  Policy  Guidelines  of  Uplinking  and  downlinking  of  TV channels in India. Such permission holder companies, are required to abide by all the rules and regulations mentioned in the Policy Guidelines. Whenever any information/complaints  about  alleged  irregularities  in  the  functioning  of  any  TV channel or their allied companies comes to the notice of this Ministry, action is taken on case to case basis, under the provisions of the Policy Guidelines.

In addition, all  permitted  broadcasters  are required to ensure  that all programmes  and  advertisements  telecast  on  private  satellite  TV  channels  and transmitted/retransmitted through the Cable TV Network are required to adhere to the Programme  and  Advertisements  Codes  prescribed  under  the  Cable  Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 framed thereunder. Details of action taken on violation of Programme Code/Advertising Code by  private  satellite  TV  channels  in  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year  are enclosed as Annexure.

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ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3812 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017 ASKED BY  SHRI  PR  SENTHIL  NATHAN  REGARDING  'IRREGULARITIES  BY  TV CHANNELS'

Action Taken by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on violation of Programme and Advertisement code by Private TV channels during the last three years and current year

Year - 2014

|   S.No. | Name of the Channel   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                                         | Details of action taken                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|---------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | WB                    | Telecast of a "V/UA" certified film "It's a Boy Girl Thing" showing obscene and women denigrating content                            | Order dated 16.01.2014 was issued for taking the channel off air for one day.                                                                                                                                            |
|       2 | Lemon News            | Telecast a news report, revealing the identity of the sexually abused women                                                          | A warning dated 10.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                                                                                                         |
|       3 | Bansal News           | Telecast a programme 'Ladkiyon Ka Gumnaam Bodyguard promoting superstition and blind belief                                          | A warning dated 11.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                                                                                                         |
|       4 | NE TV                 | Telecast of news bulletins showing the dead bodies and badly injured people without morphing or blurring                             | A warning dated 12.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                                                                                                         |
|       5 | Zee TV                | Telecast of a serial 'Jodha Akbar" containing content promoting communal attitudes, encouraging violence and also defamatory content | A warning dated 20.03.2014 was issued to the channel                                                                                                                                                                     |
|       6 | India News            | Telecast of programme 'Rahasya" promoting superstition and blind belief                                                              | A warning dated 25.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                                                                                                         |
|       7 | Color                 | Telecast of a reality show Bigg Boss Season-7                                                                                        | An Advisory dated 26.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                                                                                                       |
|       8 | Amrita TV             | Telecast of 'A' Certified film, 'The Don'                                                                                            | A warning dated 27.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                                                                                                         |
|       9 | DY 365                | Telecast disturbing of Dead Bodies Without making them blurs.                                                                        | A warning dated 07.05.2014 was issued to the channel                                                                                                                                                                     |
|      10 | Sony TV               | Telecast of objectionable Comedy Show 'Kahani Comedy Circus Ki'.                                                                     | A Directive dated 20.05.2014 issued to Sony TV for compliance directions of the Court of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities as also the provisions contained in the programme and advertisement codes. |
|      11 | All TV Channel        | Telecast of Advertisement on " Zaitoon Tara Edible Oil" The advertisement claims that edible oil prevents cancer.                    | A Advisory dated 26.06.2014 was issued to All TV Channels.                                                                                                                                                               |
|      12 | All TV Channel        | Telecast objectionable advertisements which is upheld by CCC.                                                                        | An Advisory dated 21/08/2014 was issued to all channel                                                                                                                                                                   |

|   13. | Vasanth TV      | Telecast a programme called 'Vaimaye Vellum' revealed the identity of sexually abused minor children     | A warning dated 27.08.2014 was issued to the channel                                    |
|-------|-----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    14 | News Live TV    | Telecast of news bulletins showing the dead bodies and badly injured people without morphing or blurring | A warning dated 01.09.2014 was issued to the channel                                    |
|    15 | TV-5 TV         | Telecast of news report showing young girl stabbing visuals without morphed nor blurred.                 | A warning dated 02.09.2014 was issued to the channel                                    |
|    16 | Kalaignar TV    | Telecast of news report showing the dead bodies and badly injured people without morphing or blurring    | A warning dated 02.09.2014 was issued to the channel                                    |
|    17 | Naxatra News    | Telecast of allegedly defamatory/fabricated Programme.                                                   | An order dated 05.09.2014 was issued to the channel to carry version of opposite party. |
|    18 | Headlines Today | Telecast of special programme called "Muzaffarnagar Conspiracy Exposed'.                                 | A warning dated 31.10.2014 was issued to the channel                                    |
|    19 | Sudarshan TV    | Telecast of programme called "Siyaasi Dango Mai UP".                                                     | A warning dated 31.10.2014 was issued to the channel                                    |

## Year - 2015

|   S.No. | Name of the Channel   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                      | Details of action taken                                                                                                             |
|---------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      20 | Colors TV             | Telecast of programme namely " Fear Factor Khatron Ke Khiladi-Darr Ka Blockbuster"                                | A order dated 08.01.2015 was issued to the channel thereby warning the channel and directing it to run an apology scroll for on day |
|      21 | Lemon News            | Telecast of programme namely "Khauf Ke 10 Destination"                                                            | A warning dated 19.01.2015 was issued to the channel                                                                                |
|      22 | NTV                   | Telecast a song-based programme 'Cine Colors'                                                                     | An order dated 19.01.2015 was issued to the channel for taking the channel off air for seven day.                                   |
|      23 | 24 Ghanta TV          | Telecast of news report showing death of a young man without morphing or blurring                                 | An Warning dated 23.03.2015 was issued to channel                                                                                   |
|      24 | NTV                   | Telecast of news report revealed the identity of sexual harassment minor boy                                      | An Warning dated 23.03.2015 was issued to channel                                                                                   |
|      25 | Satlon News           | Telecast of News report about a private corporate party organised in a five star hotel on the Pune-Mumbai highway | An order was issued on 27.03.2015 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for 30 day.             |
|      26 | TV9                   | Telecast a 'Bullet News' political satire targeting Chief Minister of Telangana.                                  | An order was issued on 27.03.2015 to the channel for running apology scroll.                                                        |
|      27 | Jai Hind              | Telecast of 'A; certified film, titled 'Hai Harithe'                                                              | An order was issued on 07.04.2015 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day.            |

|   28. | Aljazeera TV    | Telecast of News report carried wrong graphical map of India repeatedly.                                                                              | An order was issued on 10.04.2015 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for 5 day.               |
|-------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    29 | Sathiyam TV     | Telecast of objectionable programme 'Ungal Aseervatha Seram' and Paarthathum Padithathum by Sathiyam TV                                               | A warning dated 12.05.2015 was issued to the channel                                                                                 |
|    30 | Sudarshan News  | Telecast of a programme called BINDAAS BOL making allegation about non-salutation of National Flag on the Republic Day by the Hon'ble Vice President. | A warning dated 17.06.2015 was issued to the channel.                                                                                |
|    31 | Raj News        | Telecast of disturbing visuals of dead bodies without blurring.                                                                                       | A warning dated 22.06.2015 was issued to the channel                                                                                 |
|    32 | Raj News        | Telecast of disturbing visuals of a women body burning up into flames without blurring.                                                               | A warning dated 02.07.2015 was issued to the channel.                                                                                |
|    33 | Russia Today TV | Telecast of obscene programme 'Crazy Alert'                                                                                                           | An Advisory dated 06.07.2015 was issued the channel.                                                                                 |
|    34 | Channel 2 News  | Telecast of disturbing visuals of a man dead body without blurring.                                                                                   | A warning dated 22.07.2015 was issued to the channel.                                                                                |
|    35 | A2Z News TV     | The Channel telecast news reports on various date and revealed the identity of Sexual assault minor victims                                           | A warning dated 07.08.2015 was issued to the channel.                                                                                |
|    36 | DY 365          | Telecast of News story defame the image of MLA and denigrating women.                                                                                 | A order dated 07.08.2015 was issued to the channel thereby warning the channel and directing it to run an apology scroll for one day |

YEAR- 2016

|   S.No. | Name of the Channel      | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                   | Details of action taken                               |
|---------|--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
|      37 | Care World               | Telecast of a programme "Kya Karun Main AB?" on unnatural sex.                                 | A warning dated 24.05.2016 was issued to the channel. |
|      38 | F TV                     | Telecast of a programme namely fotos in alleged violation of the programme code                | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|      39 | Raj News                 | Telecast of News bulletins in alleged violation of the Programme code                          | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|      40 | CVR English News Channel | Telecast of News bulletins showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies                           | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|      41 | Sathiyam TV              | Telecast of News bulletins in alleged violation of the Programme code                          | An Advisory dated 31.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|      42 | NDTV India TV            | Telecast of a prgramme based on hanging of a 1993 Mumbai serial blast-case convict Yakub Memon | An Advisory dated 01.06.2016 issued to the channel    |

|   43. | NDTV 24x7       | Telecast of a programme 'Truth vs Hype -the Riddle of Yakub Memon'                              | An Advisory dated 01.06.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                         |
|-------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    44 | Oscar Movies    | Telecast of 'A' certified films on various dates.                                               | An Advisory dated 06.06.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                         |
|    45 | Aaj Tak         | Telecast of a programme based on hanging of a 1993 Mumbai serial blast-case convict Yakub Memon | An Advisory dated 07.06.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                         |
|    46 | ABP News        | Telecast of a prgramme based on hanging of a 1993 Mumbai serial blast-case convict Yakub Memon  | An Advisory dated 07.06.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                         |
|    47 | NDTV INDIA      | Telecast of news report on Pathankot terrorist attack                                           | An order was issued on 02.11.2016 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day                                                                    |
|    48 | Care World      | Telecast of obscene programme 'Kya Karu Mai Aab                                                 | An order was issued on 02.11.2016 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for seven day                                                                  |
|    49 | News Time Assam | Telecast of news report revealing the identity of minor boy                                     | An order dated 2.11.2016 was issued to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day ( to carry out the three awards of one day off air concurrently) |
|    49 | News Time Assam | Telecast of News bulletins showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies                            | An order dated 2.11.2016 was issued to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day ( to carry out the three awards of one day off air concurrently) |
|    49 | New Time Assam  | Telecast of News story defaming the image of MLA and denigrating women.                         | An order dated 2.11.2016 was issued to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day ( to carry out the three awards of one day off air concurrently) |
|    50 | People TV       | Telecast of News story showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies                                | A Warning dated 29.11.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                           |
|    51 | MBC TV          | Telecast of news report revealing the identity of sexually assaulted victims.                   | A Warning dated 29.11.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                           |
|    52 | Reporter TV     | Telecast of News story showing disturbing visuals of violence.                                  | A Warning dated 29.11.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                           |

2017

|   S.No. | Name of the Channel   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                    | Details of action taken                                                           |
|---------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      53 | TV-9 (Marathi)        | Telecast of news report showing disturbing visuals of death of a man who set himself on fire    | An Advisory dated 28.2.2017 issued to the channel for violation of Programme Code |
|      54 | All TV Channels       | Compliance with Rule 7(10) of Advertising Code                                                  | An Advisory dated 10.3.2017 issued to the all TV channels                         |
|      55 | All TV Channel        | Telecast of a programme of Republic Day Parade with sign language commentary on 26th Jan., 2017 | An Advisory dated 24.01.2017 issued to all TV Channels                            |

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