Lok Sabha Question No. 2815 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-04
Subject: Regulation of 24x7 News Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2815 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04/01/2018

## REGULATION OF 24x7 NEWS CHANNELS

## 2815.   SHRI  RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA : SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA :

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government  has any  definite  plans to regulate and restrict  the 24x7 news channels from repeatedly telecasting news/videos which create panic and  unrest  among  the  common  public  and  affect  the  peace  and  communal harmony  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons therefor;
- (b) the total number of 24x7 news channels at present in operation, language-wise; and
- (c) whether the Government has constituted or reconstituted various committees with regard to the broadcast and internet journalism and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  INFORMATION  &  BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]

(a)  to  (c) : As  per  existing  regulatory  framework,  all  programmes  and  advertisements telecast  on  private  satellite  TV  channels  and  transmitted/  re-transmitted  through  the Cable TV networks are required to adhere to the Programme Code and Advertising Code prescribed  under  the  Cable  Television  Networks  (Regulation)  Act,  1995  and  Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 framed thereunder. The Act does not provide for precensorship of any programme or advertisement telecast on such TV channels. However, it provides that all programmes and advertisements telecast on such TV channels should be in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code and Advertising Code enshrined in  the  said  Act  and  the  rules  framed  thereunder,  which  contain  a  whole  range  of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels.

It is further stated that the Ministry has set up Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) to monitor the content of private TV channels with reference to the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes. An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been set up in the Ministry to look into the specific complaints or suo-motu take cognizance

against  the  violation  of  Programme  and  Advertising  Codes.  IMC  has  representatives from  the  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  Defence,  External  Affairs,  Law,  Women  and  Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Consumer Affairs and a representative from the industry in Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). The IMC meets periodically and recommends action in respect of violation of Programme and Advertising Codes by private  TV  channels . Apart  from  this,  as  per  directions  of  the  Ministry,  the  State  and District  Level  Monitoring  Committees  have  been  set  up  to  monitor  content  telecast  on private TV channels.

There  are  389  Private  Satellite  TV  channels  permitted  under  the  News  and Current  Affairs  category.  Details  of  these  channels  are  available  on  this  Ministry's website i.e. www.mib.nic.in.

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