I&B Ministry
Stern warning to News Live TV for showing disturbing visuals of dead bodies and badly injured people
NEW DELHI: The government today issued a warning to News Live TV channel for showing ‘extremely disturbing visuals of dead bodies and badly injured people including children which were not only disturbing but could also hurt the sentiments of the viewers.’
In a stern directive to the channel to follow the Programme and Advertising Code as well as the Downlinking/Uplinking Guidelines, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said ‘visuals were neither morphed nor blurred. The visuals appeared to be in bad taste and against the sensitivities of the victim’s family. Hence, the visuals appeared to offend good taste and decency. The visuals also did not appear to be suitable for children and for unrestricted public exhibition.’
Any violation shall entail such action against the channel as deemed fit in accordance with the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder as also the terms and conditions of the permission granted under uplinking/downlinking guidelines.
Earlier, a show cause notice was issued to the channel on 5 November last year for the visuals carried in several news bulletins during 2012 and 2013. Initially, the channel said it was required to keep the recordings for only 90 days and therefore was unable to reply as the recordings had been destroyed.
The Ministry thereafter sent recordings in its own possession and also referred the matter to the Inter-Ministerial Committee which considered the matter on 4 July this year where a representative of the channel was also present.
The IMC observed that telecast of news bulletins were clear violation of the provisions of the Programme Code, particularly Rules 6(l)(a),6(lXo), and 6 (5) of Cable Television Network Rules, 1994. The IMC observed that even though the channel had accepted their fault and apologised for their mistake, they cannot escape the responsibility of ensuring content on their channel which must invariably be in conformity with the Programme Code.
‘News Live’ TV Channel is also governed by the provisions of Uplinking/Downlinking Guidelines and Pride East Entertainments while applying for the uplinking/downlinking permission had undertaken to abide by the Programme and Advertising Codes and the Uplinking/Downlinking Guidelines, read with the permission granted to ‘News Live’ TV Channel.
I&B Ministry
AIDCF moves TDSAT over Waves plan to stream linear TV channels
Industry body flags regulatory gap as OTT push sparks broadcast turf war
NEW DELHI: The battle between traditional television distributors and digital platforms has found its way to the courts, with the All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF) moving the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against Prasar Bharati’s latest OTT play.
At the heart of the dispute is Waves, Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform, which has invited applications to onboard linear satellite TV channels. Aidcf, which represents multi-system operators (msos), argues that this move sidesteps existing broadcasting rules and risks tilting the playing field in favour of digital platforms.
The federation’s petition hinges on a key provision in the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines, 2022. Clause 11(3)(f) allows broadcasters to downlink channels only if they provide signal decoders to recognised distribution platforms such as MSOS, DTH operators, hits operators and iptv platforms. OTT platforms, aidcf points out, do not feature on that list.
In simple terms, AIDCF’s argument is this: if OTT platforms are not officially recognised distributors, they should not be receiving broadcast signals in the first place. By inviting channels onto Waves, the federation claims, Prasar Bharati is opening a backdoor that lets broadcasters bypass long-standing rules.
The concern goes beyond legal interpretation. Aidcf says OTT platforms currently operate without a clear regulatory framework, allowing them to expand into traditional broadcasting territory without the compliance burden that cable and satellite operators must carry. That, it argues, creates an uneven contest.
There is also a warning for broadcasters. If they provide signal decoders to an OTT platform like Waves, they could risk breaching the very conditions under which their downlinking permissions were granted.
For its part, Prasar Bharati’s Waves initiative is positioned as a step towards wider access and digital reach, bringing linear television into the streaming era. But critics say the move blurs the line between regulated broadcasting and largely unregulated streaming.
The matter is expected to come up before tdsat next week. The outcome could do more than settle a single dispute. It may help define how India regulates the fast-merging worlds of television and OTT, where the lines are getting fuzzier by the day and the stakes, sharper than ever.
