Indiantelevision.com Team

(26 July 2007 8:00 pm)

NEW DELHI: Even before the controversial Broadcast Content Code has been finalized and come into play, two advertisements which have been on air for more than three months - ‘Lux Cozy Underwear’ and ‘Amul Macho Underwear’ - have been banned.

The reason: They have been deemed by government mandarins to be indecent, vulgar and suggestive.

The information and broadcasting ministry said all channels have also been directed to be more careful in future in selection of content of advertisements and to strictly adhere to the Advertisement Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder in avert further action.

The advertisements of ‘Lux Cozy Underwear’ and ‘Amul Macho Underwear’ have been considered indecent, vulgar and suggestive and thus violative of Rule 7 (8) of the Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed thereunder.

The ministry vide its advisory on 27 April, 2007, in respect of indecent advertisement of Gen-X undergarments had directed all the channels to be more careful in future in selection of content of advertisements and strictly adhere to the Advertising Code.

Earlier this year, the Government had banned channels FTV and AXN for showing "vulgar" programmes, but later withdrew the ban even before the expiry of the penal period.