Question : Complaints Received by BCCC

(a) the number of complaints received by Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) since its inception against general entertainment channels;

(b) the details of nature of complaints received/disposed of by the BCCC during each of the last three years and the current year, category and channel-wise;

(c) whether the number of complaints against sex, obscenity and nudity on TV has declined;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to make the channels self regulated and work accordingly?

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

(a) Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) has informed that the total number of complaints received by BCCC since its inception in June 2011 till 30 September 2015 is 28365. Out of this 5386 were specific content related complaints, which were dealt by BCCC.
(b) BCCC has conveyed the details of the complaints received by them during the last three years and the current year which are placed at Annexure-I.
(c) & (d) The number of complaints against the theme sex, obscenity and nudity appear to have declined as per data provided by BCCC for current year are up to 30th September, 2015. The details are placed at Annexure-II. No study on the reasons for the decline is available. However, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has constituted an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) to look into the violations suo-motu or whenever violation of the Programme and Advertising Codes is brought to the notice of this Ministry in respect of private satellite TV channels. IMC has representatives from the Ministries 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). IMC meets periodically to consider the complaints of serious nature and recommends action in case of violation by the channels.

(e) Government has encouraged self-regulation in electronic media by the Broadcasting Industry. The following are the self regulatory mechanisms established by industry bodies:

(i) News Broadcasters Association (NBA)- a representative body of news and current affairs TV channels has set up News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) to consider complaints against or in respect of broadcasters relating to content of any news and currents affairs telecast on TV channels.

(ii) Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF), which is a representative body of non-News & current affairs TV channels, has set up Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) to examine the complaints about television programmes and

(iii) Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), established in 1985, has set up Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) to consider complaints in respect of advertisements.

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