Question : Adult Content in Media and Films

(a) whether there has been an increase in the number of adult movies (A certificate) being released in major languages across the country, according to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), if so, the details thereof during the last three years;

(b) whether Government has received complaints against violation of norms/rules regarding publishing/broadcasting/airing content of violence/obscenity in various media, if so, details of action taken on such violations during the last three years;

(c) whether Government has made any study about the adverse impact of increasing adult content and violence in internet/print/electronic media on society including youth and adolescents, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR):

(a): No, Sir. There has been a decrease in the number of films certified under ‘A’ category by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in the last three years as per available data from CBFC.
The details of films certified under category ‘U’, ‘UA’ and ‘A’ during the last 3 years are as under:
U UA A
2016-17 1209 1620 582
2017-18 836 1793 465
2018-19 1352 2515 420

(b) to (d): As per existing regulatory framework, all programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels and transmitted/re-transmitted through the Cable TV network are required to adhere to the Programme Code and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994 framed thereunder. The Act does not provide for pre-censorship of any programme or advertisement telecast on such TV channels. However, it provides that all programmes and advertisements telecast on such TV channels should be in conformity with the prescribed Programme Code and Advertising Code enshrined in the said Act and the rules framed thereunder, which contain a wide range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels including the content which is likely to give rise to obscenity or which is likely to lead to violence. Details of action taken on violation of Programme and Advertising Codes by private TV channels for telecast of content of obscenity and violence during the last three years are enclosed at Annexure I.
It is further stated that the Ministry has set up Electronic Media Monitoring Centre (EMMC) to monitor the content of private TV channels with reference to the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes. An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been set up in the Ministry to look into the specific complaints or suo-motu take cognizance against the violation of Programme and Advertising Codes. IMC has representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs, Law, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Consumer Affairs and Information & Broadcasting and a representative from the industry in Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). The IMC meets periodically and recommends action in respect of violation of Programme and Advertising Codes by private TV channels. Apart from this, the 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.
Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) has also set up a mechanism for self-regulation through Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) in case of non-news channels. As part of this, IBF has laid down Content Code & Certification Rules 2011 covering an entire gamut of content-related principles ad criteria for television broadcast.
The Press Council of India constituted under the Press Council Act of 1978, has issued a compendium titled ‘Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ to specifically promote the standard of the media to act as a reference guide in varying circumstances for the journalists. Complaints regarding violations of publishing content are considered and adjudicated by the Press Council of India under its mandate of preserving the freedom of the press and of maintaining and improving the standards of press in India.
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