The Government today said that it would initiate the process of amending Cable and Television Networks Act of 1995 to define the modalities for self-regulatory mechanism for television content.
“Actually Government desires that a self-control system should be there. That is what we are aiming at. Once we succeed in that front, then the amendments can be made in that,” the Minister of State for I & B, Mr C.M. Jatua, told reporters here.
The Minister said the Government was holding consultations with all associations of broadcasters and producers on the issue for a consensus.
“Article 19 of the Constitution says everybody has a right to freedom of speech. But we know what is the effect of ‘Balika Vadhu’. It has arguments both for and against. We know the effects of ‘Sach ka Saamna’. All things are being taken into consideration,” Mr Jatua said while referring to the TV serials.
He said the amendment will be carried out keeping in mind that content of the programmes can be watched by all in the family.
“.... so that the family can sit together and watch. That is the purpose of the amendment. That is why we are consulting all stakeholders. I think we will come to a conclusive stage shortly,” Mr Jatua told reporters.
He, however, said while the Government was trying for a consensus on the kind of self-regulatory mechanism, there was a difference of opinion among stakeholders over the subject.
The amendments also propose to address the problem of telecast of illegal channels in the country.
The Government last month had told Parliament that stricter provisions would be enacted to discourage transmission of illegal channels.
“These amendments (in the Cable Television Networks Act) include making transmission of illegal channels a cognisable offence and enhancing the existing financial penalties under the Act with a view to discouraging cable operators from transmitting illegal channels,” Mr Jatua had told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
Security agencies have identified 25 illegal foreign channels and observed that the content of some of these channels are not conducive to the country’s law and order and pose a potential security hazard, he said.