THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND
BROADCASTING AND MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW,
JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS ( 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
THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 281 FOR ANSWER
ON 11.8.2000
(a) & (b): The advertising code under the Cable Television Networks
Rules provides that the cable operators shall ensure that the portrayal of
the female form in the programmes carried in his cable service, is tasteful
and aesthetic, and is within the well established norms of good taste and
decency. However, as per proviso to Section 5 & 6 of the existing Cable
Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, the programme and
advertising code under the Cable Television Network Rules are not
applicable to free to air foreign satellite channels, which can be received
without the use of any specialized gadgets or decoders. The Cable
Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2000 introduced in
Lok Sabha on 03.08.2000, inter-alia aims to remove this anomaly.
(c): Yes, Sir. Various satellite channels were advised to exercise
restraint in using Gods and Prophets belonging to various religions,
respected leaders and institutions, including Armed Forces while
accepting advertisements for being telecast on their channels
(d): The advertising code under the Cable Television Network Rules,
amongst others, provides that advertising carried in the cable service
shall be so designed as to conform to the laws of the country and should
not offend morality, decency and religious susceptibilities of the
subscribers. Authorised officers of the respective State Governments
have to take necessary action against the cable operators for violating the
advertising codes. Action can also be taken against the TV channels
uplinking their programmes from India in case specific instances of
violating programme and advertising codes are brought to the notice of
the Government. However, the satellite TV channels being uplinked
from outside India are not legally obliged to follow these programme and
advertising codes. With a view to bring these satellite channels under the
ambit of rules and regulations framed under the Cable Networks Act, the
Government has recently liberalized its uplinking policy, permitting all
satellite channels to uplink from India provided they undertake to comply
with programme and advertising codes.