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Content Regulation on Private TV Channels

As per existing regulatory framework, programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels are regulated in accordance with the Programme Codes and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder. The Programme and Advertising Codes contain a wide range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels....

The Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 have been amended vide Notification No.GSR 416(E) dated 17.06.2021 thereby providing for a statutory mechanism for redressal of grievances/complaints of citizens relating to content broadcast by television channels. These rules are called the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The Rules provide that in order to ensure observance and adherence to the Programme Code and the Advertising Code by the broadcaster and to address the grievance or complaint, if any, relating thereto, there shall be a three-level structure (complaint redressal structure) as under: Level I - A self-regulation by broadcasters; Level II - Self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the broadcasters; and Level III - Oversight mechanism by the Central Government.

Any person aggrieved by the content of a programme of a channel as being not in conformity with the Programme Code or the Advertising Code may file his complaint in writing to the broadcaster or to Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) if such pertains to the Advertising codes laid by it. A broadcaster shall establish a grievance or complaint redressal mechanism and appoint an officer to deal with the complaints received by it. The broadcaster/ ASCII shall, within the stipulated time, takes a decision and communicate the same to the complainant. The grievances/ complaints which have not been addressed by the broadcaster shall be dealt and disposed of by the Self-regulating bodies (Level-II), registered by Central Government, within stipulated time.

As a part of oversight mechanism, Central Government has established an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) for hearing grievances or complaints and refer to the IDC grievances or complaints arising out of the decision of the self-regulating body, or if no decision has been taken by the self-regulating body within the stipulated time, or on receipt of such other complaints or references relating to violation of Programme Code or Advertising Code as it may consider necessary. The IDC is chaired by the Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and consists representatives from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence. In March 2023, domain experts from Press Council of India (PCI), Bar Council of India (BCI), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have been included as IDC member.

The Government has also established Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) as state-of-the-art facility with a view to monitor and record the content of satellite TV channels with regard to violation of Programme and Advertisement Codes enshrined under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder. EMMC is equipped to monitor and record around 900 channels and currently monitors all permitted channels.(website of EMMC- www.emmc.gov.in File size unavailable) Ministry issues advisories to TV channels to adhere to program and advertising codes and in relation with other important issues from time to time.

A.  Grievance Redressal Mechanism To ensure observance and adherence to the Programme Code and the Advertising Code by the broadcaster and to address the grievance of complaint a three-level structure, as under, has been formed: -
Level I - A self-regulation by broadcasters
Level II - Self-regulation by the Self-Regulating Bodies of the broadcasters
Level III - Oversight mechanism by the Central Government

Filing and processing of Grievance and Complaint
i.  Any person aggrieved by the content of a programme of a channel as being not in conformity with the Programme Code or the Advertising Code may file his complaint in writing to the broadcaster: Provided that where such complaint relates to Advertising Code laid down by the Advertising Standards Council of India, such complaint may be addressed to the said Council and that Council shall deal with such complaint in accordance with the procedure laid down by it: Provided further that Advertising Standards Council of India shall take a decision on the complaint within sixty days of its receipt, and communicate the same to the broadcaster and the complainant.
ii.  The broadcaster shall, within twenty-four hours of complaint being filed, generate and issue an acknowledgement to the complainant for his information and record.
iii.  Every complaint shall be dealt with in the following manner, namely: -
(a)   the broadcaster shall dispose of the complaint and inform the complainant of its decision within fifteen days of receipt of such complaint;
(b)   if the decision of the broadcaster is not communicated to the complainant within the stipulated period of fifteen days, or if the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the broadcaster, he may prefer an appeal to the self-regulating body of which such broadcaster is a member, within fifteen days therefrom;
(c)   the self-regulating body shall dispose of the appeal within sixty days of receipt of appeal and convey its decision in the form of a guidance or advisory to the broadcaster, and inform the complainant of such decision within a period of fifteen days;
(d)   where the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the self-regulating body, he may, within fifteen days of such decision, prefer an appeal to the Central Government for its consideration under the Oversight Mechanism.

B.  Self-regulating Body (SRBs) Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021 provide a three level structure for to ensure observance and adherence to the Programme Code and Advertising Code. It provide for Self regulation by Self Regulatory Bodies (SRBs) of the broadcasters as Level II. SRBs are independent bodies constituted by the broadcasters and registered by the Ministry of I&B. They are headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court or by an independent eminent person from relevant field. The SRBs shall have members being experts from the relevant fields. At present two self-regulating bodies have been registered by Ministry of I&B as under:
(a)   Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) for regulation of content non-news Private Satellite TV Channel:
Click here to see TV channels registered with BCCC
Click here to visit the website of BCCC
(b)   News Broadcasters Federation - Professional News Broadcasting Standards Authority" (NBF-PNBSA) for regulation of content non-news Private Satellite TV Channels
Click here to see TV channels registered with NBF-PNBSA
Click here to visit the website of NBF-PNBSA

C.  State/ District Level Monitoring Committees This Ministry has issued detailed guidelines subsuming all the earlier orders regarding constitution of State/ District level Monitoring Committees to monitor the content broadcast on private TV channels and also authorizes these committees to monitor content broadcast on private FM Radio Channels and Community Radio Stations. So far, State Level Monitoring Committees have been set up in 18 States, 5 Union Territories and District Level committees in 347 Districts.
Click here to see complete list

S.No. Title Details Date
51 Advisory to Community Radio Stations for timely GOPA renewal Download (396.98 KB) pdf 07/07/2023
52 Community Radio Compendium 2023 Link 25/09/2023
53 Registration Procedure for Platform Services Download (515.61 KB) pdf 22/09/2023
54 Advisory to Pvt Satellite TV channel for Adherence to Section 20 of the Cable Television Networks Regulation Download (524.69 KB) pdf 21/09/2023
55 Hon'ble High Court of Delhi order dated 28.08.2023 passed in WP (Crl.) 2456 of 2023 - Court on its own motion Vs Department of Women and Child development & Ors. - reg. Download (1.15 MB) pdf 19/09/2023
56 Advisory to all CRS opeartors to add Community Radio in the name of their Community Radio Stations Download (103.24 KB) pdf 04/09/2023
57 Advisory dated 11.08.2023 on Sign Language Interpretation Download (22.13 KB) pdf 11/08/2023
58 Advisory on MSOs who are Non Compliant but having interconnection Agreement with Broadcaster Download (1014.53 KB) PDF 02/08/2023
59 The List of TV channels for the purpose of waiver of processing fee for temporary uplinking of live events dated 27.07.2023 Download (599.3 KB) pdf 28/07/2023
60 Advisory on Obligation of Public Service Broadcasting Download (244.87 KB) pdf 25/07/2023
61 Hon'ble High Court of Delhi's Order dated 19.04.2023 passed in WP (Crl) No. 1090 of 2023 - State of NCT of Delhi Vrs. Union of India & Ors. - reg Download (341.36 KB) pdf 18/07/2023
62 Cancellation of Registration of Multi-System Operators (MSO) for violation of provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. Download (277.61 KB) pdf 13/07/2023
63 Advisory to TV channels regarding safety of Media Personnel covering Cyclone Biparjoy Download (635.16 KB) pdf 15/06/2023
64 Adherence to Programme Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 by Private Satellite TV channels. Download (535.94 KB) pdf 08/06/2023
65 NCPCRs Guidelines for Child and Adolescent Participation in the Entertainment Industry and Any Commercial Entertainment Activity Download (1.3 MB) pdf 01/06/2023
66 Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 Link 01/06/2023
67 Cables Television Network Rules, 1994 Link 01/06/2023
68 The Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021 Download (1.51 MB) pdf 01/06/2023
69 The Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021 - Information Booklet Download (1.49 MB) pdf 28/06/2021
70 Programme code and Advertising Code Download (27.92 KB) pdf 08/05/2017
71 Registration of Level-II self regulating Bodies by the Ministry - Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) Download (264.6 KB) pdf 25/08/2021
72 Registration of Level-II Self Regulating Bodies by the Ministry - News Broadcasters Federation - Professional News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBF-PNBSA) Download (535.72 KB) pdf 25/08/2021
73 Constitution of State/District Level Monitoring Committee Download (2.68 MB) pdf 16/01/2018
74 Advisory to Print/Electronic and Digital Media entities for compliance of legal provisions of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019 while organizing conclaves Download (386.38 KB) pdf 09/05/2023
75 Compliance Status of the Registered MSOs as on 03.05.2023 Download (751.01 KB) pdf 03/05/2023
76 Advisory for Broadcasters to review their agreements with non- compliant MSOs. Download (584.11 KB) pdf 23/03/2023
77 Compliance Status of the Registereded MSOs. Download (746.16 KB) pdf 11/04/2023
78 Relaxation of minimum net worth requirement under the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, 2022-reg. Download (566.7 KB) pdf 31/03/2023
79 Compliance Status of the Registereded MSOs. Download (744.88 KB) pdf 23/03/2023
80 Advisory to MSO/Cable operator on carriage of illegal channels Download (18.08 KB) pdf 10/06/2016
81 Report of Expert Committee on Prasar Bharati Vol 1 Download (18.13 MB) pdf 02/11/2018
82 Request for Proposal 1 for hiring social media agency Download (258.74 KB) pdf 02/11/2018
83 Request for Proposal 2 for hiring social media agency Download (761.41 KB) pdf 02/11/2018
84 Advisory to private satellite TV channels dated 20-01-2023 Download (24.21 KB) pdf 20/01/2023
85 Clarification on the defmition of Director under the Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India , 2022- reg. Download (447.27 KB) pdf 14/02/2023
86 Cancellation of LoI dt. 31.3.2017 issued to M/s Rockstar EI Pvt Ltd for establishing FM Radio Broadcasting services at Mokokchhung and forfeiture of NOTEF of Rs. 500000 Download (657.98 KB) pdf 15/02/2023
87 Advisory to Private Channels for adherence to Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 Download (1.01 MB) pdf 09/01/2023
88 Providing last mile connectivity to Access service providers/Internet Service providers through the Infrastructure of Cable Network Operators - regarding. Download (448.73 KB) pdf 30/12/2022
89 Implementation of the provisions of the Juvenile Justice & POCSO Act 2012 regarding prohibition on disclosure of identity of children by media. Download (947.2 KB) pdf 11/10/2018
90 Supreme Court direction WP(Civil) No.754 of 2016 in Tehseen S.Poonawalla vs Union of India and others regarding lynching and mob violence Download (457.97 KB) pdf 28/09/2018
91 Supreme Court Dated-07.08.2018-TV Channels not to display the photographs of the victims of sexual abuse either in morphed or blurred Download (481.37 KB) pdf 11/09/2018
92 Compliance with the order dated 06.08.2018 by High Court of Judicature at Bombay Nagpur Bench regarding using the nomenclature Dalit. Download (408.7 KB) pdf 13/08/2018
93 Notices/Warning/Order/Advisory etc Download (391.99 KB) pdf 26/05/2017
94 Directive for surrogatie advertisement to all TV channels dated 17th June 2010 Download (359.13 KB) pdf 10/06/2016
95 Advisory to all channels on Rule 7(10) of the cable Act dated 21 th June 2010 Download (359.13 KB) pdf 10/06/2016
96 Minutes of 55th Open House Meeting with MSOs/Applicants Download (269.12 KB) pdf 30/12/2019
97 Advisory to all private satellite TV channels regarding Reporting and Telecasting of Proceedings of Parliament Download (705.33 KB) pdf 19/03/2020
98 Notifying DD Retro and 11 DD Regional Channels as mandatory channels Download (1.28 MB) pdf 01/06/2022
99 Letter dated 8th Feb 2017 for compliance with court order relating to National Anthem of India Download (1.88 MB) pdf 08/05/2017
100 Advisory on displaying castings/credits/titles of Hindi / Regional language TV serials in the respective languages. Download (231.46 KB) pdf 14/06/2019

Pages

Archived Data

S.No. Title Details Date
51 Advisory on NCPCR Guidelines for Media Reporting on Children Download (7.48 MB) pdf 14/06/2016
52 Advisory against speech of the Honble Prime Minister of India with the speech of other political leaders on Independence day Download (525.23 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
53 Advisory dated 23.01.2014 to all News Television channels, telecast of the Republic Day Parade with commentary are, advised to carry the signals of DD with sign language interpretation Download (545.09 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
54 List of State level Monitoring Committee as on 11.02.2014 Download (202.82 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
55 List of District Level Monitoring Committee as on 11.02.2014 Download (874.78 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
56 Details of Orders Warnings Advisories are issued to Private TV Channels for the period from April 2011 to March 2014 Download (3 MB) pdf 14/06/2016
57 List of District Level Monitoring Committee as on 7th May 2014 Download (691.43 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
58 Broadcast of public Interest Message with regard to Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2014 Download (1.94 MB) pdf 14/06/2016
59 letter reg Facilitation of Monitoring of TV Channels by EMMC 1 Download (621.63 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
60 Advisory to News Channels regarding availability of free DD News Signals with Sign Language for Indepedence Day Telecast Download (429.9 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
61 Notice for 1st meeting of expert committee on WIPO for 2 September 2014 Download (265.15 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
62 Swatchh Bharat Abhiyan Download (372.34 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
63 Notice Open House - Rescheduled regarding Download (79.89 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
64 PM Broadcast Man Ki Baat Download (280.53 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
65 Advisory dated 19-01-2015 to all News TV channels, telecast of the Republic Day Parade with commentary are, advised to carry the signals of DD with sign language interpretation Download (48.74 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
66 PM Broadcast Mann Ki Baat on 27-01-2015 Download (264.2 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
67 Advisory dated 3-3-2015 to all News and Current Affairs TV channels regarding telecast documentary India s Daughter or any axcerpts Download (399.07 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
68 Advisory dated 20-03-2015 to all TV Channels regarding live telecast of anti-terrorist operations Download (33.57 KB) pdf 14/06/2016
69 Notice regarding compliance of Delhi High Court order dt 19th January 2016 in CS Comm No 38 of 2016 Download (1.31 MB) pdf 14/06/2016
70 Telecast of programme for disabled presons and inclusion of the facility of captions for the hearing disabled etc Download (437.28 KB) pdf 14/06/2016

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