Lok Sabha Question No. 5632 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Quality of Television Programmes
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5632 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2019

## QUALITY OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES

## 5632. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state

- (a) whether the Government has analysed how the social media has radically changed the newsroom, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  number  of channels in regional languages are increasing;
- (c) if  so,  the  details  of  such  channels  in  each  language  and  the  number  of channels newly set up during the last five years;
- (d) whether the Government has analysed the quality of the news and other entertainment programmes telecast on channels, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the rating of channels  has  increased  the  competition  between  channels,  if  so,  the details of the action taken by the Government to maintain the quality; and
- (f) whether the Government proposes to evaluate any unhealthy practices in the  news  /  entertainment  industry,  if  so,  the  details  of  the  action  taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) Keeping in view the importance of social media in today's age, Doordarshan  News  has  adapted  itself  to  the  changing  environment  and  has made itself  present on popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

(b)  and  (c)  As  on  31.5.2019,  there  are  698  Private  Satellite  Television Channels  registered  with  this  Ministry  with  at  least  one  regional  language component. Between  2015 and May, 2019, 208 channels in regional languages have been granted permission by this Ministry.  Details of all the permitted  TV  channels  are  available  on  this  Ministry's  website  on  the  link https://www.broadcastseva.gov.in/webpage-User-tvchannels

Further, there are 17 Regional Language Satellite Channels in Doordarshan Network. Doordarshan also operates 11 regional channels with limited  hour  transmission  in  regional  languages  which  are  available  on  its DTH  platform  i.e.  DD  free  Dish.    Besides,  the  News  and  Current  Affairs Programmes  of  Doordarshan  are  telecast  by  its  31  Regional  News  Units (RNUs) in various regional languages.

(d)  to  (f)  Private  Satellite  TV  channels  are  required  to  adhere  to  the Programme  and  Advertising  Codes  prescribed  under  the  Cable  Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 framed thereunder.

Doordarshan  has  an  in-built  mechanism  for  analysing  the  programmes telecast by it through a system of feedback, internal quality control etc.

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Rating  of  TV  Channels  is  conducted  by  Broadcast  Audience  Research Council (BARC) which are used by TV Channels for their business decision. Central Board of Film Certification created under Cinematography Act, 1952 certifies films for public exhibition in accordance with Cinematography Act, Cinematograph (certification) Rules, 1983 and guidelines for certification of films issued therereunder.

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