| What's the basic rationale in the draft for content
regulation? It is for an industry-wide "self-regulation mechanism,
which is dynamic and progressive" and is based on standards,
principles, norms and processes evolved and implemented by the content
regulator through "active compliance" of the member licensee
/advertisers.
However, the draft codes now being examined by various constituents
of the industry also makes it clear that all types of programming,
including films, cannot be shown during any part of the day as there
is a need to protect children from unrestricted viewing. Especially
if the access cannot be controlled like in a DTH service.
"The licensee's responsibility for sensitive scheduling of
programmes may reduce a risk of offence to the minimum," the
draft code says.
Further, it adds that at certain times, parents will want to be
confident that their children can watch television "unsupervised
without the risk of being exposed to unsuitable material."
At other times, they can accept more challenging material and can
reasonably be "expected to take greater control over their
children's viewing,"
The draft, which has been prepared by the Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) on the request of a 30-member
government-sponsored panel set up to structure content-related regulation,
categorically states: "The TV programmes should take care of
the broadcast
between 4 pm and 7 pm adhering to the all the programming guidelines."
However, some exceptions have been proposed in time bands. For
example, programmes that belong to a mature/adult genre, could be
allowed to be aired on television from 7 pm to 4 pm (presuming children
viewership is not
high during this time) with disclaimer after editing scenes containing
sex and nudity.
Programmes that belong to the adult genre, the draft code proposes,
could be allowed to be aired on television from 10 pm to 6 am, with
a disclaimer.
| 