I&B's action against TV channels in 3 years

NEW DELHI: Twenty of the 48 show causes issued to regional television channels in the last three years were referred to the self-regulatory bodies of the news and general entertainment television channels.

Only one complaint was referred by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI).

Most of the matters referred to the regulatory bodies - as many as 18 to the News Broadcasters Standards Authority and two to the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council - have been resolved by imposing fines or advisories to the channels.

Advisories were issued by the Ministry in nine cases, and warnings issued in five cases. While one matter is sub judice because it relates to reportage by TV 5 about the death of a former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, two cases were closed because no violation was found.

Matters relating to programmes by News Live, Jaya Max, Asianet Plus, Kolkata TV, India Vision, SS TV, and NTV are under consideration of the Ministry, and the reply of the Central Board of Film Certification is awaited with regard to telecast of song of adult nature in the case of Raj Parivar TV.

Only one channel ? SS Music ? was forced in the last three years to stop beaming for about a week in February this year, while News 9 was asked to run an apology scroll for three days for telecast of an obscene programme.