New Delhi: The central government has told Lok Sabha that complaints related to violations of programme and advertising norms by private television channels are examined by an Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) constituted under the existing regulatory framework.
Responding to a written question in the Lower House on Wednesday, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan said advertisements aired on private satellite TV channels are required to conform to the Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, along with the rules framed under it.
He said the IDC hears complaints involving alleged breaches of both the Programme Code and the Advertising Code. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the government takes action against erring private channels where violations are established.
According to the minister, the measures available to the government include issuing advisories and warnings, directing apology scrolls, and in certain cases, ordering channels off air.
Murugan also informed the House that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting periodically issues advisories to broadcasters, aimed at reinforcing compliance with the Advertising Code.
The statement reiterates the government’s existing oversight mechanism for content and advertising standards on private satellite television channels.
