I&B min asks TV news channel to follow norms

The Information and Broadcasting ministry has asked a TV news channel to strictly comply with norms after it came to its notice that certain disturbing visuals were telecast by it.

Issuing a warning over the matter, the ministry said it had found that the channel had telecast news bulletins carrying extremely disturbing visuals of dead bodies and injured persons.

It said that as per the rules under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, no programme should be aired which is against good taste and decency. It also said that no programme should be carried on cable TV services which is not suitable for unrestricted public viewing.

It added that as per the rules, programmes which are unsuitable for children must not be aired in slots when the largest numbers of children may be watching TV.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee had earlier considered the facts related to the matter and also listened to the channel’s version. The committee felt that the programme on the channel had violated the norms and recommended that the channel be issued a warning about being careful in the future.