Lok Sabha Question No. 7 (STARRED), answered on 2016-11-16
Subject: Vulgartity in TV Programme
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 7 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16/11/2016

## VULGARTITY IN TV PROGRAMME

## *7.  SHRI  JANARDAN SINGH SIGHRIWIL :

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  rise  in    obscenity,  vulgarity  and nudity in the television programmes in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  channels  against  whom action  has  been taken for violating the norms/guidelines during the last three years and the current year;
- (c) whether there is any self regulation in place to check/curb vulgarity and indecency in programmes telecast on TV channels and if so, the details in the this regard; and
- (d) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  monitor  the  content  of  the programmes being  telecast on Doordarshan and Private channels?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  AS  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 7 FOR ANSWER ON 16.11.2016

(a)  to  (d):    As  per  existing  regulatory  framework,  all  programmes  telecast  on  TV channels  are  required  to  adhere  to  the  Programme  Code    prescribed    under  the  Cable Television  Networks  (Regulation)  Act,  1995  and  Cable  Television  Network  Rules,  1994 framed  thereunder.    The  Act  does  not  provide  for  pre-censorship  of  any  programme telecast on such TV channels.  However, it prescribes that all programmes telecast on such TV channels should be in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code enshrined in the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, which contains a whole range of parameters to regulate programmes including content of obscenity, vulgarity and nudity in TV programmes.

Ministry  has  constituted  an  Inter  Ministerial  Committee  (IMC)  to  look  into  the violations  suo-motu  or  whenever  violation  of  the  Programme  and  Advertising  Codes  is brought to the notice of this Ministry in respect of private satellite TV channels by vigilant citizens  about  objectionable  content  on  TV.  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).  IMC  meets  periodically  and  recommends  action  in respect of violations. Details of action taken on violation of Programme Code by private TV channels for telecast of content of obscenity, vulgarity and nudity in TV programmes during the last three years and the current year are enclosed at Annexure.

TV channels are required to preserve a copy of their telecast for 90 days. In case a violation is reported they are obliged to share the recordings and archive it until the matter is resolved.

Government  has  encouraged  self-regulation  in  electronic  media  by  the  Industry. News  Broadcasters  Association  (NBA),  which  represents  Private  television  news  and current  affairs  broadcasters,  as  part  of  its  self-regulation  mechanism,  has  formulated    a Code  of  Ethics  and  Broadcasting  Standards  covering  a  wide range of principles to selfregulate  news  broadcasting.  NBA  has  also  formulated  News  Broadcasting  Standards Regulations. They have set up a Two-Tier structure to deal with content related complaintsat  Tier  I,  by  the  individual  broadcasters  and  at  Tier  II,  by  News  Broadcasting  Standards

Authority  (NBSA).  The  Authority  consists  of  a  Chairperson  who  is  a  retired  Judge  of  the Supreme Court and eight other members. Members of the Authority comprise of 4 (four) eminent editors employed with broadcaster and 4 (four) persons having special knowledge and/or  practical  experience  in  the  field  of  law,  education,  medicine,  science,  literature, public administration, consumer affairs, environment, human psychology and/or culture.

Besides,  Indian  Broadcasting  Foundation  (IBF),  which  represents  non-News  and entertainment channels, has laid down Content Code & Certification Rules 2011 covering an entire gamut of content-related principles and criterion for television broadcast.  As part of self-regulation mechanism, a two-Tier complaints redressal system has been set up by IBF.  At  the  Tier-I  level,  each  Broadcaster  has  set  up  a  Standard  and  Practices  (S&P) Department with a Content Auditor to deal with the   complaints   received for content aired on its channels.  At the Tier II, a Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC) has been set up. The BCCC has 13 Members headed by a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court as Chairperson and 12 other Members, viz. 4 eminent persons, 4 members from any National Level Statutory Commissions and 4 Broadcast members and two (2) Special Invitees to deal with complaints against regional language content.

Also, Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) , established in 1985, has set up Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) to consider complaints in respect of advertisements. The CCC currently has 28 members; 12 are from within the industry and 16 are from the civil society like well known doctors, lawyers, journalists, academicians, consumer activists etc.

In  so  far  as  Doordarshan  Channels  are  concerned,  Doordarshan  has  its  own Broadcasting  Code  and  Social  Objectives  and  advertisement  Code  for  production  and telecast of programmes to ensure that no programmes containing obscenity, vulgarity and nudity go on air.

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## ANNEXURE

## ANNEURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No.* 7 FOR ANSWRE ON 16.11.2016

Action  Taken  on  violation  of  Programme  and  Advertisement  code  by  Private  TV channels for telecasting content depicting vulgarity, obscenity in last three years and current year.

Year - 2013

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                                                                                                                        | Details of action taken                                                                                                    |
|-----------|-----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Enterr 10             | Telecast of Hindi feature film 'Musafir' , 'Plan' and 'Ashiq Banaya Apnne'- 'A' certified films.                                                                                                                    | Order dated 08.01.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day .                 |
|         2 | Zing                  | Telecast of Hindi feature film "Hawas" - 'A' certified film.                                                                                                                                                        | Order dated 08.01.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day .                 |
|         3 | Manoranjan TV         | Telecast of Hindi feature film "Topless" - "A' certified film.                                                                                                                                                      | Order dated 08.01.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day .                 |
|         4 | SS TV                 | Telecast of Trailer of the film "Friends with Benefits" which was not certified by CBFC for telecast on TV channels.                                                                                                | Order dated 08.01.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day .                 |
|         5 | FTV                   | Telecast of an advertisement of Vodka on 2.3.2011 in a programme Fashion TV Launch Party                                                                                                                            | An Advisory dated 17.01.2013 was issued to the channel.                                                                    |
|         6 | FTV                   | Telecast of programme "Desigers in High Definition" on 11.9.11, "Chantellie Lingrie, Paris" on 12.09.11 & "Lingerie" on 15.09.11 and "15th Anniversary-Top Designers" showing obscene and women denigrating content | An Order dated 28.03.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for 10 days                |
|         7 | NDTV Good Times       | Telecast of programme "Life a Beach" during April, May ,2011 showing obscene and women denigrating content                                                                                                          | An Advisory dated 02.04.2013 was issued to the channel.                                                                    |
|         8 | Mahuaa                | Telecast of Hindi feature film 'Aulaad' and 'Ek Aur Kurukshetra' - 'A' certified films.                                                                                                                             | An order dated 25.04.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day.               |
|         9 | AXN                   | Telecast of Hindi feature film 'Darkness Falls' - 'A' certified film.                                                                                                                                               | An order dated 25.04.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day.               |
|        10 | Movies Ok             | Telecast of Hindi feature film 'Dil Jale' - 'A' certified film.                                                                                                                                                     | An order dated 01.05.2013 was issued to the channel prohibiting the transmission of the channel for one day.               |
|        11 | Comedy Central        | Telecast of programme "Stand Up Club"                                                                                                                                                                               | An order was issued on 17.05.2013 prohibiting the transmission of the channel for 10 days                                  |
|        12 | IBN 7                 | Telecast of the Advertisement of "Axe Shower Gel" containing vulgar and indecent content.                                                                                                                           | Order dated 29.05.2013 was issued directing the channel to furnish an undertaking regarding not airing such ads in future. |
|        13 | MTV                   | Telecast of the advertisement of "Axe Shower Gel" containing vulgar and indecent content.                                                                                                                           | Order dated 17.06.2013 was issued directing the channel to furnish an undertaking regarding not airing such ads in future. |

|   14. | VH1              | Telecast of advertisement of "Axe Shower Gel" showing obscene and women denigrating content                  | Order dated 17.06.2013 was issued directing the channel to furnish an undertaking regarding not airing such ads in future.   |
|-------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    15 | Colors           | Telecast of advertisement of "Axe Shower Gel" showing obscene and women denigrating content                  | Order dated 17.06.2013 was issued directing the channel to furnish an undertaking regarding not airing such ads in future.   |
|    16 | N TV             | Telecast of News report showing contents offending good taste and decency and women denigrating              | An order dated 18.09.13 issued to the channel to run the apology scroll for three days.                                      |
|    17 | Zoom TV          | Telecast of Film "Teesri Aankh - 'A' certified film.                                                         | An order dated 01.10.2013 was issued to prohibit the transmission or re- transmission for one day                            |
|    18 | ABN Andhra Jyoti | Telecast of a song based programme on "Ide Mallea Velavani" containing obscene and women denigrating content | An order dated 01.10.2013 was issued to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission for seven days.          |
|    19 | Manoranjan TV    | Telecast of 'A' Certified Hindi feature film "Ek Chatur Nar"                                                 | order was issued on 17.05.2013 to prohibit the transmission or re- transmission of channel for seven days                    |
|    20 | BIG CBS LOVE     | Telecast of programme "Excused" containing women denigrating content                                         | An order was issued on 15.10.2013 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day.     |
|    21 | UTV Bindass      | Telecast of a programme "Emotional Atyachaar Season 3" containing obscene content                            | An order dated 06.11.2013 was issued to prohibit the transmission or re- transmission for three days                         |
|    22 | Manoranjan TV    | Telecast of various films without showing CBFC certificates                                                  | A warning dated 26.12.2013 was issued to the channel                                                                         |

## Year - 2014

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                              | Details of action taken                                                       |
|-----------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        23 | 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. |
|        24 | Lemon News            | Telecast a news report, revealing the identity of the sexually abused women                               | A warning dated 10.03.2014 was issued to channel                              |
|        25 | Amrita TV             | Telecast of 'A' Certified film, 'The Don'                                                                 | A warning dated 27.03.2014 was issued to channel                              |
|        26 | All channels          | TV Channels continue Telecast Films without displaying CBFC Certificates.                                 | A Advisory dated 29.05.2014 was issued to All TV Channels.                    |
|        27 | 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                          |

## Year - 2015

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                      | Details of action taken                                                                                                  |
|-----------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        28 | 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.                        |
|        29 | NTV                   | Telecast of news report revealed the identity of sexual harassment minor boy                                      | An Warning dated 23.03.2015 was issued to channel                                                                        |
|        30 | 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.  |
|        31 | 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. |
|        32 | Russia Today TV       | Telecast of obscene programme 'Crazy Alert'                                                                       | An Advisory dated 06.07.2015 was issued the channel.                                                                     |
|        33 | 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.                                                                    |

YEAR- 2016

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel      | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                    | Details of action taken                                                                                                                                                                             |
|-----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        34 | Care World               | Telecast of a programme "Kya Karun Main AB?" on unnatural sex.                  | A warning dated 24.05.2016 was issued to the channel.                                                                                                                                               |
|        35 | 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                                                                                                                                                  |
|        36 | CVR English News Channel | Telecast of News bulletins showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies            | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                                  |
|        37 | Oscar Movies             | Telecast of 'A' certified films on various dates.                               | An Advisory dated 06.06.2016 issued to the channel                                                                                                                                                  |
|        38 | Care World               | Telecast 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 one day                                                                             |
|        39 | News Time Assam          | Telecast of News story defaming the image of MLA and denigrating women          | An order dated 2.11.2016 was issued on 2.11.2016 to the channel to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of channel for one day ( carry out the three awards of one day off air concurrently |