Lok Sabha Question No. 1010 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-22
Subject: Vulgarity in Advertisements
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD, MAULANA BADRUDDIN AJMAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1010 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22/07/2016

## VULGARITY IN ADVERTISEMENTS

## 1010.  PROF. RAVINDRA VISHWANATH GAIKWAD: SHRI BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  increasing  depiction  of  violence, vulgarity, obscenity in advertisements and programmes being telecast on Television notwithstanding the strict and stringent laws in vogue;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  against  the channels  for  violating  Programme  and  Advertising  Codes  during  the  last  three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  constituted  any  Inter-Ministerial  Committee  in  this regard and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  check  vulgarity  in programmes including advertisements on television?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (d).  As  per  existing  regulating  framework,  all  programmes  and  advertisements telecast on TV channels and transmitted/retransmitted through the Cable TV network are required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder. Action is taken as per rules suo-motu as well as when violation of Codes is brought to the notice of the Ministry. These  codes  contain  a  whole  range  of  parameters  to  regulate  programmes  and advertisements  including  provisions  to  address  content  of  obscenity,  vulgarity  and violence in TV programmes and advertisements.

Ministry has an Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) to monitor the content telecast on Private satellite television channels. Prima facie violation of the Programme and Advertising Codes are reported by the EMMC apart from the various other sources and the Ministry then pursues to look into these violations.

Ministry  has  constituted  an  Inter  Ministerial  Committee  (IMC)  to  look  into  the violations suo-motu or whenever violations of the Programme and Advertising Codes are brought to the notice of this Ministry in respect of private satellite TV channels. 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  reported,  whenever warranted.

Government has encouraged self-regulation in electronic media by the Broadcasting Industry.  The  following  are  the  self  regulatory  mechanisms  established  by  industry bodies:

- (i) News Broadcasters Association (NBA)- a representative body of news and current affairs TV channels has set up News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) to consider complaints against or in respect of broadcasters relating to content of any news and currents affairs TV channels.
- (ii) Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), which is a representative body of non-News &  current  affairs  TV  channels,  has  set  up  Broadcasting  Content  Complaints Council  (BCCC)  to  examine  the  complaints  about  programme  on  non-news  TV channels.

Ministry has also issued directions to States to set up District level and State level Monitoring  Committees  to  regulate  content  telecast  on  cable  TV  channels.  These  are recommendatory bodies which function to aid and assist the Authorized officers under the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

The Ministry also follows up with the State Governments and the Nodal Officers in all the States from time to time for strict enforcement of the said Act.

Details  of  action  taken  against  TV  channels  as  per  recommendations  of  Inter Ministerial  Committee  (IMC)  in  the  past  three  years  and  current  year  is  enclosed  as

## Annexure-A.

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## Annexure-A

## ANNEURE AS REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1010 FOR 22.07.2016

Action  Taken  on  violation  of  Programme  and  Advertisement  code  by  Private  TV channels  for  telecasting  content  depicting  violence,  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 | Sadhna TV             | 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 | 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  |
|         8 | 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.                                                      |
|         9 | 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. |
|        10 | 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. |
|        11 | 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. |
|        12 | 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                    |

|   13. | 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.   |
|-------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    14 | Sandesh News                        | 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.                                                  |
|    15 | 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.   |
|    16 | 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.   |
|    17 | 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.   |
|    18 | 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.                                      |
|    19 | All News & Current Affairs channels | Telecast of inflammatory and provocative news/programmes in a sensational manner.                            | An Advisory dated 20.09.2013 was issued to the channel.                                                                      |
|    20 | 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                            |
|    21 | 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.          |
|    22 | 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                    |
|    23 | 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.     |
|    24 | 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                         |
|    25 | Khoj India                          | 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                                                                             |
|    26 | 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                                                       |
|-----------|-----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        27 | 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. |
|        28 | Lemon News            | Telecast a news report, revealing the identity of the sexually abused women                                                          | A warning dated 10.03.2014 was issued to channel                              |
|        29 | 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                          |
|        30 | Amrita TV             | Telecast of 'A' Certified film, 'The Don'                                                                                            | A warning dated 27.03.2014 was issued to channel                              |
|        31 | All channels          | TV Channels continue Telecast Films without displaying CBFC Certificates.                                                            | A Advisory dated 29.05.2014 was issued to All TV Channels.                    |
|        32 | 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                          |
|        33 | Headlines Today       | Telecast of special programme called "Muzaffarnagar Conspiracy Exposed'.                                                             | A warning dated 31.10.2014 was issued to the channel                          |
|        34 | Sudarshan TV          | 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   | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                                                      | Details of action taken                                                                                                      |
|-----------|-----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        35 | 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.                            |
|        36 | All News Channels     | Telecast of documentary programme India's Daughter                                                                | An Advisory dated 03.03.2015 was issued to the all News channels restraining not to telecast the said documentary programme. |
|        37 | All TV Channel        | Telecast of live coverage of counter- terrorism operations.                                                       | An Advisory dated 20.03.2015 was issued to all TV channels.                                                                  |
|        38 | NTV                   | Telecast of news report revealed the identity of sexual harassment minor boy                                      | An Warning dated 23.03.2015 was issued to channel                                                                            |
|        39 | 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.      |
|        40 | 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.     |

|   41. | Russia Today TV   | Telecast of obscene programme 'Crazy Alert'                                                                 | An Advisory dated 06.07.2015 was issued the channel.                                                                                  |
|-------|-------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    42 | All News Channels | Telecast of live coverage of any anti- terrorist operation by security forces.                              | An advisory dated 27.07.2015 was issued to all news channels.                                                                         |
|    43 | 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.                                                                                 |
|    44 | 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  |
|    45 | News Time Assam   | 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      | Reason for Show Cause Notice                                                    | Details of action taken                               |
|-----------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
|        46 | Care World               | Telecast of a programme "Kya Karun Main AB?" on unnatural sex.                  | A warning dated 24.05.2016 was issued to the channel. |
|        47 | 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    |
|        48 | CVR English News Channel | Telecast of News bulletins showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies            | An Advisory dated 25.05.2016 issued to the channel    |
|        49 | Oscar Movies             | Telecast of 'A' certified films on various dates.                               | An Advisory dated 06.06.2016 issued to the channel    |

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