News Broadcasting
‘U’ certification for programmes not new: I&B ministry
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Seems like information and broadcasting (I&B) minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has unwittingly created a controversy where there was none.
Media reports yesterday quoted Prasad as saying that all TV channels, barring news channels, would have to air programmes that can be certified or has been certified ‘U’ (fit for people under 18) by the Censor Board.
After the reports set the pulses racing at various TV channels, the I&B ministry is on a fire-fighting mission.
Though Prasad was unavailable for comments, a senior official of the ministry tried to explain that this was “nothing new” as the Cinematography Act and the Cable TV (Network) Regulation Act already has the provision for showing programmes that can be categorised ‘U’.
The official hastily added that the minister never said anything on the movie channels getting pre-certification to air movies – English or Hindi.
What’s more, none of the TV channels seem to have received any communication from the ministry to this effect yet.
When contacted, both Star India and MTV said they have not heard from the government. HBO and Hallmark could not be contacted for a response. As for Zee MGM, a cautiously guarded Zee Telefilms spokesperson said, “We are yet to receive the letter from the government. We don’t know the details as yet, but shall adhere to the government directives.”
Adding more confusion is the Censor Board chief Anupam Kher. Media reports had quoted Kher as saying, “When we have taken up the job, we have to do it”, however, when contacted by indiantelevision.com, Kher almost back-tracked. “Censor Board’s signal has to be obtained for film promos and music videos only,” he said over phone.
What about the minister’s statement on film channels also being brought under the Censor Board’s ambit? “Well, I don’t think the movie channels are there. They can do with some self-regulation nonetheless,” he explained, repeating the ministry’s line that everything about `U’ certified programming is there in the existing Acts and it is only the implementation that is being done stringently now.
To a poser whether the government or the Censor Board can decide what the people want to watch or not, Kher quipped, “We have received complaints from thousands of organisations, especially women’s, objecting to vulgar music videos. The government has to stop vulgarity.”
The million rupee question is, can the government do such a thing? If implemented – even if the diktats are old – the government does not have the logistics in place to monitor all TV channels. India gets at least 100 TV channels.
Earlier too, a proposal was mooted in the ministry (when Anil Baijal was the additional secretary-broadcasting) that all films to be shown on movie channels would need pre-certification. The proposal had died a natural death.
But, if the government and the minister is serious about dumbing down the Indian hoi-polloi, then Cartoon Network and the likes may see a boom in viewership in the near future.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
