Hindi
Government cracks down on TV content violations
Private channels received 144 actions for breaching Programme and Advertising Codes in five years.
MUMBAI: When the remote control meets the rulebook, even popular shows can find themselves on the wrong side of the law and India’s television regulators have been keeping a sharp eye on the screen. Private television channels in India are facing stricter scrutiny, with the government taking action against 144 violations of the Programme Code and Advertising Code over the last five years.
According to data shared by the minister of state for Information and Broadcasting, Dr L. Murugan, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry issued advisories, warnings, apology scroll orders and off-air directions to erring channels.
The breakdown of actions from 2021 to 2025 is as follows:
Advisories to specific channels: 35
Warnings: 50
Orders for apology scrolls: 54
Off-air orders: 3
Cancellation of permission: 1
Order for disclaimer: 1
Total actions: 144
The highest number of actions were recorded in 2022 (52), followed by 2021 (43). The numbers dropped sharply in 2024 (4) and 2025 (8).
The Programme Code prohibits content that is obscene, attacks religions or communities, promotes communal attitudes, or criticises/maligns individuals or groups. The Advertising Code bars indecent, vulgar, suggestive or offensive themes in commercials.
Complaints are handled through a three-level grievance redressal mechanism: first by the broadcaster itself, then by Self-Regulating Bodies, and finally through an oversight mechanism by the Central Government.
The government also regulates print and digital media. Newspapers must follow the Press Council of India’s Norms of Journalistic Conduct, while digital news publishers and online curated content fall under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
From saas-bahu dramas to prime-time debates, Indian television remains a lively space, but these figures show that when lines are crossed, the Ministry is ready to switch off the show or at least make the channel say sorry on air.
