After a prolonged process of propositions and opposition, the broadcasting industry is set to be regulated via a content code. According to people familiar with the development, the information and broadcasting ministry, after its meeting with members of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), is in the final stages of finalising a code The code, though self regulatory, would have some strict norms to regulate what goes on air.
The code among other issues delves in to details on the classification of programmes and mandates that shows aired, too, be categorised as universal (U), adult/universal (U/A) and adult (A) on the lines of classification followed for films.
In addition, there is a directive on the time slots during which these shows can be aired. The programmes under the U category may be aired round-the-clock whereas those tagged as U/A would have to be aired only between 8pm and 4am. Programmes meant only for adults would not be allowed to go on air before 11pm.
?The I&B secretary met the members of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) last month and discussed the issue of content regulation. There is a consensus on most issues proposed by the ministry as well as the IBF, except for a few. These are likely to be resolved in the next meeting scheduled sometime this month,? said an IBF member.
An IBF spokesperson confirmed that the consultation process with the ministry is on and the industry is likely to adopt a code soon. ?Most of the guidelines include what IBF had itself proposed,? he said.
Also, the guidelines clearly mention what cannot be certified as U, U/A and A content. Violence, coarse & abusive language, nudity, kissing or any kind of sexual innuendos are a strict no-no for the programmes under the U category. Programmes tagged as U/A are not expected to use highly coarse language with explicit sexual connotations among other things.
The last glitches to the adoption of the guidelines mainly relate to the disagreement on adult programming among a few other issues such as depiction of women in ads and use of children in programmes. While the code proposed by the ministry disallows explicit images of sexual activity, sexual perversions, violence including rape, molestation, prolonged or frequent use of highly coarse language and dialogues with explicit sexual connotations, the industry seeks some relaxation.
?When these programmes will be tagged as meant for adults and be aired only after 11pm, such stringent guidelines are not required,? said a senior executive of a broadcast company. ?We as it is follow all norms of decency in our programming and not air things that will embarrass family members when they watch TV together,? said Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd Nitin chief operating officer Vaidya.
To monitor that these guidelines are strictly adhered to, the ministry has proposed to set up a content code committee with representatives from the IBF as well as the ministry. It may also have some representation from consumer bodies, sources said.
All TV programmes, including advertisements, would have to be self-certified by the broadcasting service providers (BSP), the norms suggest. ?While each film, programme or advertisement shall be certified and given an overall categorisation by the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification), BSP or any other competent authority, as the case may be, each scene or dialogue shall be scrutinised for its adherence to the norms prescribed for various themes…,? say the guidelines.
The guidelines also provide for a consumer complaint and redressal system.
Meanwhile, the ministry has initiated a separate consultation process with the news channels on the issue. The ministry has convened a meeting of News Broadcasters Association with the I&B secretary on September 15 to discuss separately the issue of content regulation on news channels.