New Delhi : The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) is planning to issue an advisory to broadcasters in this regard due to raising number of complaints regarding horror and occult content on television.
BCCC received 4,545 specific complaints between July 3, 2014 and August 22, 2015 and of these nearly 11 percent pertained to horror and occult content shown on entertainment television channels, the body’s officials said at a press conference held here.
“For the period 3 July 2012 to 22 August 2015, the highest percentage (39 per cent) of complaints were related to the theme Harm and Offence, followed by those related to religion and community (28 per cent) of the 4,545 specific complaints and only eight per cent of complaints pertain to sex, obscenity and nudity,” BCCC secretary general Ashish Sinha said in a statement.
BCCC also noted that although these programmes are shown at late hours, their promos are shown repeatedly during the day. Complaints received by it claim that the content may not be suitable for children.
BCCC released data stating it has addressed a total of 27,676 complaints, including 5,262 specific complaints since inception and said that the Justice (retd) Madhup Mudgal-headed council was mulling setting up of a mechanism through which complaints regarding content on TV could be lodged via Twitter.
Feeling the need to sensitise broadcasters, BCCC is planning to release an advisory to broadcasters in the regard, officials said. To sensitise the channels on various issues, BCCC has so far issued 12 advisories.
These include advisories on portrayal of persons with disabilities in television programmes, advisory against showing acid attacks on television, advisory on depiction and use of National Flag, National Emblem, National Anthem and map of India in television programmes.
Other advisories are related to the telecast of content sensitive to minorities, advisory on telecast of content on cartoons, children’s channels, advisory on comedy shows, a statement released here said.
