Question : CENSOR BOARD FOR PROGRAMMES ON TV CHANNELS

(a) whether the National Commission for Women has recommended setting up of a separate Censor Board for programmes telecast in television networks including foreign channels; and

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto?

THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a): The National Commission for Women has informed that at the meeting of Chairpersons of State Commissions for Women, organised by the National Commission for Women in March, 2003, a suggestion was made for creation of a Censor Board for advertisements, which should have at least one representative from the Commission.

(b): The Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules made thereunder prescribes a Programme Code and an Advertising Code, which all programmes and advertisements transmitted/re-transmitted through the Cable Network are required to adhere to. Authorised Officers prescribed under the Act are empowered to take action for violations of these Codes. Central Government has already set up two Inter- Ministerial Committees to look into the violation of the Programme and Advertising Codes. The Committee examining the Programme Code comprises of Joint Secretaries from Ministries of Law, Home, Defence, External Affairs and I&B. The Committee looking into violations of Advertising Code is under the Addl. Secretary, Ministry of I&B and comprises of Joint Secretaries from Ministries of Law, Health, Women and Child Development, I&B and a representative from the Advertising Standards Council of India. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, action is taken against Television Channels for violation of the two Codes from time to time. These Committees are free to obtain advice from the National Commission for Women on a case to case basis and on the merit of each case.