NEW DELHI: The Government has clarified that the advisory of 17 June this year prohibiting surrogate advertisements is valid as the notification issued on 27 February last year for amending the Cable TV Networks Rules has not been operationalised.

Coming down heavily on surrogate advertisements, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry directed all television channels through the advisory of 17 June to stop showing advertisements of products using brand names or logos which are also used for cigarettes, tobacco products, wine, alcohol, liquor or other intoxicants.
 
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said in reply to a question in Parliament that the notification had said that advertisements may be shown subject to certain conditions and clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification.
 
But the advisory was clear that the notification of 27 February 2009 cannot be cited as an excuse for airing such advertisements in violation of Rule 7(2)(viii)(A) of the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994 as the guidelines under the amended Rules have not been finalized. 
 
It has further said that certificates issued by the Central Board of Film Certification under the Ministry’s notification of 9 August 2006 will also not be accepted as these are null and void in view of subsequent amendment of Rule 7(2)(viii) of the Rules.

All channels including news and current affairs channels have been directed to immediately withdraw such advertisements.