Question : NORMS TO FOREIGN CHANNELS

(a) whether the Government have prescribed any norms to have a check on foreign channels;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the names of the channels which have violated these norms during the last two years?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISINVESTMENT

( SHRI ARUN JAITLEY )

(a),(b),(c) & (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6097 FOR ANWER ON 5.5.2000


(a), (b) & (c): The programmes of foreign satellite channels are uplinked from outside the country and therefore, do not fall under the ambit of Indian laws as of now, unless decoders are required for their reception in which case their programmes/advertisements, when transmitted through a cable operator, are required to adhere to the programme/advertisement codes prescribed under sections 5 and 6 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995. Further, under section 19 of the Act the authorized officers of State Governments may prohibit any cable operator from transmitting or re- transmitting any particular programme on various grounds and under section 20, the Central Government can prohibit the operation of cable networks in public interest in any area.

(d): The Central Government, vide a notification issued under section 20 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 on 20.10.1999 prohibited the operation of cable television networks which were carrying the programme containing the foreign satellite channels `TB-6` throughout the country, as it contained pornographic and obscene matters affecting public morality. Also, during the Kargil conflict, in view of anti Indian nature of programmes of Pak TV, the Central Government had advised State Governments to prohibit , under section 19, the transmission/re-transmission of programmes of PTV. After the cessetion of the conflict, the State Governments were advised to withdraw the prohibition on distribution of PTV programmes.