Question : Regulation of 24x7 News Channels

(a) whether the Government has any definite plans to regulate and restrict the 24x7 news channels from repeatedly telecasting news/videos which create panic and unrest among the common public and affect the peace and communal harmony in the country and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b) the total number of 24x7 news channels at present in operation, language-wise; and

(c) whether the Government has constituted or reconstituted various committees with regard to the broadcast and internet journalism and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]


(a) to (c) : As per existing regulatory framework, all programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels and transmitted/ re-transmitted through the Cable TV networks are required to adhere to the Programme Code and Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Cable Television Networks 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 whole range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels.

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 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, as per directions of the Ministry, the State and District Level Monitoring Committees have been set up to monitor content telecast on private TV channels.

There are 389 Private Satellite TV channels permitted under the News and Current Affairs category. Details of these channels are available on this Ministry’s website i.e. www.mib.nic.in.

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