Lok Sabha Question No. 4474 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-12
Subject: Violation of Programme Code
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKAR, PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4474 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12/08/2016

## VIOLATION OF PROGRAMME CODE

## 4474 . SHRI RAJESH KUMAR DIWAKER: SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  programme  code  and  norms  prescribed  by  the  Government  for operation of TV channels in the country;
- (b)   whether  the  Government  has  received  complaints  against  a  number  of  TV  channels found violating these programme code and norms;
- (c)   if so, the details thereof during the last three years including the norms which have been violated by these channels and action taken by the Government thereon, channel-wise; and
- (d)   the  action  taken/  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  for  strict  follow-up  of  the programme code and norms by all TV channels?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Content telecast on private satellite TV channels is regulated in accordance with the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder. There is no  provision  of  pre-censorship  of  the  content  telecast  on  such  TV  channels.  However,  all programmes and advertisements telecast on such TV channels are required to adhere to the Programme Code and Advertising Code prescribed under the said Act and the Rules framed thereunder. Action is taken whenever any violation of the said codes is noticed or brought to the notice of the Ministry. The said codes contain a whole range of parameters to regulate programmes  and  advertisements  on  TV  channels.  The  relevant  Programme  Code  and Advertising Code under Rule 6 & 7 are available on the Ministry's website: i.e. www.mib.nic.in. The details of action taken against TV channels for telecasting programme and advertisements  in  violation  of  the  Programme  and  Advertising  Codes  during  the  last  three years and the current year are enclosed at Annexure .  The existing provisions contained in the Programme & Advertising Codes and the existing mechanism are considered adequate to regulate content of private TV channels.

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## ANNEXURE AS REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4474 FOR 12.08.2016

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 - 2013

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel   | Violation of Rules of Programme & Advertisement Code   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                                                                                                                         | Details of action taken                                                                                     |
|-----------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Enterr 10             | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                                        | 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                  | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                                        | 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 | Manoran - jan TV      | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                                        | 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                 | 6 (1) (o)                                              | 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                   | 7(2) (viii) (a)                                        | 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 | Sadhna TV             | 6 (1) (a), (d), (e), (i) & (m)                         | Telecast of programme " Adhyatamik Gyan Charcha" showing content contemptuous of religious groups, defamatory and content likely to encourage violence                                                               | A Warning dated 06.03.2013 was issued to the channel.                                                       |
|         7 | Comedy Central        | 6 (1) (a), (l), (o) & 6 (5)                            | Telecast of Programme "The Wonder Years" showing content against good tests and decency and child denigrating                                                                                                        | An Advisory dated 28.03.2012 was issued to the channel.                                                     |
|         8 | FTV                   | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (o) & 6 (5)                       | Telecast of programme "Designers 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 |
|         9 | NDTV Good Times       | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (o) & 6 (5)                       | 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.                                                     |

|   10 | Mahuaa           | 6 (1) (o) & (n)                       | 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.               |
|------|------------------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   11 | AXN              | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                       | 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.               |
|   12 | Movies Ok        | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                       | 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.               |
|   13 | Comedy Central   | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (o) & 6 (5)      | Telecast of programme "Stand Up Club"                                                                        | An order was issued on 17.05.2013 prohibiting the transmission of the channel for 10 days                                  |
|   14 | IBN 7            | 7 (1) (2) (vi) & 7 (8)                | 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. |
|   15 | Sandesh News     | 6 (1) (j) & 7 (5)                     | Telecast of programme "Aaj No Mahima, Desh Ni Gruh Dasha" showing superstition and blind relief              | An Advisory issued on 07.06.2013 to all TV channels including this channel.                                                |
|   16 | MTV              | 7 (1), 7 (2) (vi) & 7 (8)             | 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. |
|   17 | VH1              | 7 (1), 7 (2) (vi) & 7 (8)             | 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. |
|   18 | Colors           | 7 (1), 7 (2) (vi) & 7 (8)             | 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. |
|   19 | News Time Assam  | 6 (1) (a), (l) & (o)                  | Telecast of programme revealing the identity of children caught inhaling drugs.                              | An order dated 05.09.2013 was issued to run apology scroll for two days.                                                   |
|   20 | N TV             | 6 (1) (k), (o) & 6 (5)                | 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.                                    |
|   21 | Zoom TV          | 6 (1) (o), (n) & 6 (5)                | 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                           |
|   22 | ABN Andhra Jyoti | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (n), (o) & 6 (5) | 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.       |
|   23 | Manoran jan TV   | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                       | 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                   |
|   24 | BIG CBS LOVE     | 6 (1) (a), (k), (o) & 6 (5)           | 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.  |

|   25 | UTV Bindass    | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (o), 6 (5) & 6 (2)   | 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   |
|------|----------------|-------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   26 | Khoj India     | 6 (1) (a), (k), (o) & 6 (5)               | Telecast of news report revealing the identity of mentally challenged rape victim and her child | A warning dated 23.12.2013 was issued to channel                                                      |
|   27 | Manoran jan TV | 6 (1) (n)                                 | Telecast of various films without showing CBFC certificates                                     | A warning dated 26.12.2013 was issued to the channel                                                  |
|   28 | News X         | 6(1) (d)                                  | Channel had carried a news scroll on the health of Hon'ble President of India on June 23, 2012  | An Advisory dated 26.12.2013 was issued to channel.                                                   |

## Year - 2014

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel   | Violation of Rules of Programme & Advertisement Code   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                                         | Details of action taken                                                                                                          |
|-----------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        29 | WB                    | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k) (o) & 6 (5)                        | 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.                                                    |
|        30 | Lemon News            | 6 (1) (k)                                              | Telecast a news report, revealing the identity of the sexually abused women                                                          | A warning dated 10.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                 |
|        31 | Bansal News           | 6 (1) (a), (j), (o) & 6 (5)                            | Telecast a programme 'Ladkiyon Ka Gumnaam Bodyguard promoting superstition and blind belief                                          | A warning dated 11.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                 |
|        32 | NE TV                 | 6 (1) (a), (o) & 6 (5)                                 | 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                                                                                 |
|        33 | Zee TV                | 6 (1) (a), (c), (d) & (e)                              | 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                                                                             |
|        34 | India News            | 6 (1) (a), (j), (o) & 6 (5)                            | Telecast of programme 'Rahasya" promoting superstition and blind belief                                                              | A warning dated 25.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                 |
|        35 | Color                 | 6(1) (a), (d), (k), (o) & 6 (5)                        | Telecast of a reality show Bigg Boss Season-7                                                                                        | An Advisory dated 26.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                               |
|        36 | Amrita TV             | 6 (1) (n)                                              | Telecast of 'A' Certified film, 'The Don'                                                                                            | A warning dated 27.03.2014 was issued to channel                                                                                 |
|        37 | DY 365                | 6 (1) (a), (o) & 6 (5)                                 | Telecast disturbing of Dead Bodies Without making them blurs.                                                                        | A warning dated 07.05.2014 was issued to the channel                                                                             |
|        38 | Sony TV               | 6(1) (a)                                               | 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.   |
|----|-----------------|------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 39 | All TV Channel  | 7 (5)                  | 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.                                |
| 40 | All TV Channel  | 7 (5)                  | Telecast of objectionable advertisements which were upheld by CCC.                                                | An Advisory dated 21/08/2014 was issued to all channel                                    |
| 41 | Vasanth TV      | 6 (1) (a), (l) & (o)   | 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                                      |
| 42 | News Live TV    | 6 (1) (a), (o) & 6 (5) | 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                                      |
| 43 | TV-5 TV         | 6 (1) (a), (o) & 6 (5) | Telecast of news report showing young girl stabbing visuals without morphed nor blurred.                          | A warning dated 02.09.2014 was issued to the channel                                      |
| 44 | Kalaignar TV    | 6 (1) (a), (o) & 6 (5) | 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                                      |
| 45 | Naxatra News    | 6(1) (d)               | Telecast of allegedly defamatory/fabricated Programme.                                                            | An order dated 05.09.2014 was issued to the channel to carry version of opposite party.   |
| 46 | Headlines Today | 6 (1) (c) & (d)        | Telecast of special programme called "Muzaffarnagar Conspiracy Exposed'.                                          | A warning dated 31.10.2014 was issued to the channel                                      |
| 47 | Sudarshan TV    | 6 (1) (c) & (d)        | Telecast of programme called "Siyaasi Dango Mai UP".                                                              | A warning dated 31.10.2014 was issued to the channel                                      |

## Year - 2015

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel   | Violation of Rules of Programme & Advertisement Code   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                        | Details of action taken                                                                                                             |
|-----------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        48 | Colors TV             | 6 (1) (a) & 6 (5)                                      | 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 |
|        49 | Lemon News            | 6 (1) (a), (i) & (o)                                   | Telecast of programme namely "Khauf Ke 10 Destination"                              | A warning dated 19.01.2015 was issued to the channel                                                                                |
|        50 | NTV                   | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (n), (o) & 6 (5)                  | 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.                                   |
|        51 | 24 Ghanta TV          | 6 (1) (a) & 6 (5)                                      | Telecast of news report showing death of a young man without morphing or blurring   | An Warning dated 23.03.2015 was issued to channel                                                                                   |

|   52 | NTV             | 6 (1) (o)                        | Telecast of news report revealed the identity of sexual harassment minor boy                                                                          | An Warning dated 23.03.2015 was issued to channel                                                                                     |
|------|-----------------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   53 | Satlon News     | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k) & (o)        | 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.               |
|   54 | TV9             | 6 (1) (a), (d), (e) & (i)        | 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.                                                          |
|   55 | Jai Hind        | 6 (1) (n) & (o)                  | 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.              |
|   56 | Aljazeera TV    | 6 (1) (h)                        | 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.                |
|   57 | Sathiyam TV     | 6 (1) (c), (d), (e) & (i)        | Telecast of objectionable programme 'Ungal Aseervatha Seram' and Paarthathum Padithathum by Sathiyam TV                                               | A warning dated 12.05.2015 was issued to the channel                                                                                  |
|   58 | Sudarshan News  | 6 (1) (e) & (d)                  | 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.                                                                                 |
|   59 | Raj News        | 6 (1) (a), (d) & 6(5)            | Telecast of disturbing visuals of dead bodies without blurring.                                                                                       | A warning dated 22.06.2015 was issued to the channel                                                                                  |
|   60 | Raj News        | 6 (1) (a) & (o)                  | 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.                                                                                 |
|   61 | Russia Today TV | 6 (1) (a), (d), (k), (o) & 6 (5) | Telecast of obscene programme 'Crazy Alert'                                                                                                           | An Advisory dated 06.07.2015 was issued the channel.                                                                                  |
|   62 | Channel 2 News  | 6 (1) (c) & (o)                  | Telecast of disturbing visuals of a man dead body without blurring.                                                                                   | A warning dated 22.07.2015 was issued to the channel.                                                                                 |
|   63 | A2Z News TV     | 6 (1) (l), (k) & (o)             | 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.                                                                                 |
|   64 | DY 365          | 6 (1) (a), (i) & (k)             | 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  |
|   65 | News Time Assam | 6 (1) (a), (i) & (k)             | 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

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Channel      | Violation of Rules of Programme & Advertisemen t Code   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                    | Details of action taken                               |
|-----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
|        66 | Care World               | 6 (1) (a), (d), (o) & 6 (5)                             | Telecast of a programme "Kya Karun Main AB?" on unnatural sex.                                  | A warning dated 24.05.2016 was issued to the channel. |
|        67 | F TV                     | 6 (1) (a), (d) & (k)                                    | Telecast of a programme namely fotos in alleged violation of the programme code                 | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        68 | Raj News                 | 6 (1) (i), (l) & (o)                                    | Telecast of News bulletins in alleged violation of the Programme code                           | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        69 | CVR English News Channel | 6 (1) (a) & (o)                                         | Telecast of News bulletins showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies                            | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        70 | Sathiyam TV              | 6 (1) (a), (l) & (o)                                    | Telecast of News bulletins in alleged violation of the Programme code                           | An Advisory dated 31.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        71 | NDTV India TV            | 6 (1) (g)                                               | 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    |
|        72 | NDTV 24x7                | 6 (1) (d)                                               | Telecast of a programme 'Truth vs Hype -the Riddle of Yakub Memon'                              | An Advisory dated 01.06.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        73 | Oscar Movies             | 6 (1) (n), (o) & 6 (5)                                  | Telecast of 'A' certified films on various dates.                                               | An Advisory dated 06.06.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        74 | Aaj Tak                  | 6 (1) (e) & (g)                                         | 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    |
|        75 | ABP News                 | 6 (1) (e) & (g)                                         | 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    |

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