Govt's transparency code for TV quiz shows

NEW DELHI: The government has asked all television channels to disclose complete information pertaining to SMS or call rates which are applicable to quiz shows continuously through scroll or display in the language of the programme and ensure that callers are not unnecessarily put on hold for long periods.

Once a winner is decided, he/she should be informed immediately and no further calls should be put on hold or SMSs solicited, according to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Transparency and fair dealing is necessary in the conduct of these programmes so that the viewers/participants do not feel cheated or duped while taking part in such programmes, the directive says.

In guidelines for Conduct and Carriage of such programmes issued under section 20 of the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, the Ministry has made it clear that deliberately keeping telephones on hold for long periods or charging exorbitant fee for SMS for quiz
shows on television offends good taste and decency and is, therefore, violative of Rule 6(1)(a) of the rules under the Act.

Furthermore, any misleading advertisement about these shows that does not give adequate information about charges etc. will violate Rule 7(1) of the Rules under the Act.

The Ministry has also said a channel is responsible for adhering to the Act and the Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines and can‘t, therefore, take refuge under the excuse that a programme has been produced by a third party and the channels merely sell air time to these parties.

Noting that channels questioned by the Ministry said they had no direct control over the production, format of the programme or any alleged calls received from participants, the Ministry has also made it clear that no channel can relegate its responsibility on the nature of the programme or advertisements. .

The Guidelines came after frequent complaints about exorbitant rates charges for calls, and some callers being kept on hold for long periods, thus having to pay huge sums on mobile phone calls which are inflated for such programmes. Some of the complainants said the format of these programmes was such as to dupe the callers and viewers.