News Broadcasting
Govt. move to check on movie channel content may extend to entertainment genres
NEW DELHI: The Indian government now wants to crack down on movies shown on various TV channels and through it may attempt to control all genres of content that are aired by channels, specially satellite channels which uplink from outside the country.
The information and broadcasting ministry is understood to have hit upon the idea that movies shown on various channels do not conform to the programming codes and the channel managers have also not been following the code of getting a censorship certificate before airing them as is mandated.
The ministry, according to government sources, however, is contemplating consulting the law ministry on this and whether clauses in the existing cable TV Networks Regulation Act 1995 can be invoked for the crackdown.
“If today it is movies, in the near future, the government can also insist on having everything, from serials to news programmes, being vetted by it first before being aired on channels which are seen in India,” a media analyst pointed out, hinting that far from liberalising policies, the government is attempting to have a tighter control on the electronic media.
What is the genesis of this move being contemplated in the corridors of Shastri Bhawan which houses the I&B ministry in New Delhi? I&B ministry officials, without spelling out any details, indicated that complaints have been received from various quarters on movies, including some questions posed in parliament to I&B minister Sushma Swaraj.
Can the government tighten its grip over content being aired on TV channels? On the face of it, yes.
The programming code, as detailed out in the CATV Act, amongst other things, states, “No programme should be carried in the cable service which offends against good taste or decency, contains anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive innuendoes and half truths.”
What’s more Clause 6(n) of the Rules on programming also state that no programming on cable services shall be carried which “contravenes the provisions of the Cinematographic Act, 1952.” Sub-clause (o) says no programming shall be carried on the cable services, which “is not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition.”
“Unrestricted” public exhibition has been further explained as carrying the same meaning as assigned to it in clause 37 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
Now, say government sources, the I&B ministry has interpreted this to mean that pre-censor certificates should be not only a must for movies, but also for all types of programming. If this is not done, then it contravenes the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the government can crack down on cable operators for airing “errant” channels.
However, sources also indicated that this thought process is in an early stage and the law ministry’s views on the interpretation of the reading of the clauses by the I&B ministry is very crucial. This is because even if the interpretation is correct and can hold up in a court of law, if challenged, then the implementation of it will also have to be thought about.
News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
