Question : VIOLATION OF CABLE TELEVISION ACT

(a) whether the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder envisage stringent punitive action against television channels found to be violating the programmes and Advertising Codes stipulated in the said Act;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether despite the legal provisions and the various measures stated to have been taken by the Government, depiction of objectionable and misleading programmes and advertisements on private TV channels continue to take place unabated;

(d) if so, the number of channels which had indulged in violations more than once alongwith the action taken thereon during each of the last three years and the current year, channel-wise;

(e) whether the Government proposes to implement new norms/policy guidelines for renewal of television channel’s licence and it will be subjected to the condition that the channel should not have been found guilt of violating the said codes on five or more occasions; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the response of the broadcasters in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING (SHRI C.M. JATUA)

(a) Yes Sir.

(b) All programmes telecast on Television channels transmitted/ retransmitted through cable TV network,are required to adhere to the Programme Code and Advertising Code provided in the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder. Whenever any violation of the Codes is brought to the notice of the Government, action is taken as per the above mentioned rules keeping in view the nature of violation.

(c)& (d): Certain instances of violations of the Programme and Advertisement Codes were brought to the notice of the Government. The details of Advisories/Warnings/Orders issued more than once to a TV channel during the last three years are Annexed.

(e) & (f): The appropriate modalities in the matter shall be laid down in the proposed new Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines.