NEW DELHI: The Broadcast Content Complaints Council, a self-regulatory body of non-news television channels, has advised TV channels to air after 11 pm award shows which have any adult content in them including vulgar dialogues, double-entendres and smutty puns from the anchors.

After its meeting, the BCCC headed by Justice A P Shah in its advisory noted that "sometimes, the content of the so-called jokes is demeaning to women and other communities."

It noted that it had received several complaints relating to the telecast of film award functions and shows.

It said: ?It is not the BCCC?s intention to censor these shows, which are, after all, live events. But we believe that if the content is to include adult humour, then the telecast of these shows should only begin after 11 pm. Nor should any repeats be broadcast before 11 pm.

The BCCC noted that in many cases, the shows were not telecast live but aired at a later date. It, therefore, wondered why the channels were not able to remove inappropriate content from telecast during prime time.

The BCCC advised all channels to exercise discretion while telecasting award functions, to guard against the inclusion of adult content during prime time and to refrain from airing any content that is demeaning to women and other communities.

NEW DELHI: Advising television channels not to show any content that is harmful to any animal or species, the Broadcast Content Complaints Council has said that animals must not continue to be exploited for human entertainment "especially when we live in an enlightened age that recognises the value of all species in a universal ecosystem".

In an advisory to TV channels, the self-regulatory body said that "responsible television content" can and must go a long way in depicting animals and the environment in a manner that is "healthy for the planet". Depiction of animals that is resorted to may be such as does not denigrate or detract from the ideal of co-existence, and respect for all forms of life, it added.

BCCC also suggested that the code of conduct for advertising agencies and film production prescribed by the Animal Welfare Board of India pertaining to the use of performing animals should be made applicable to broadcast media. These rules govern the manner in which performing animals should be treated during training, during the actual shoot, and during retirement. These rules also require special permissions to be obtained, and or furnished as evidence, before using animals, and apply to imported content and foreign locations as well.

Issued by BCCC which is a self-regulatory body of non-news channels, after its 15th Meeting held on 13 July, the advisory said "many of the general interest entertainment channels", in particular those "airing reality shows", are exhibiting content that is extremely harmful to animals. Not only are animals hurt and killed before, during and post filming, in many cases animals, especially reptilian and wild mammalian, are depicted as cruel and fearful, when in fact they are placed in unnatural environments, and their natural behaviour is repressed. "Wrong impressions" are, thus, created and "unfortunate myths" spread.

?For instance, live insects are eaten to show courage in a manner that is distasteful and not conducive to health. A few channels have a reality show in which animals are killed week after week and animal parts such as sheep eyeballs and worms eaten in order to show bravery. What is also disturbing is that some channels rope in popular movie stars in serials in which animals are depicted, and project their being stalked; teased; tails being pulled at; food being pulled away, etc., i.e. veritable torture of animals as an ?act of bravery?.?

At the outset, BCCC said there is a growing availability of television content featuring animals, domestic and wild. Besides full channels devoted to animal-related programming, there are also several lifestyle channels that feature pet programmes. Most of the content on these channels is designed to educate the viewer about habitats, extinction threat, humane training and treatment. Such programming merits active encouragement to make people understand the benefits of preserving the environment, species and so on.

It advised TV channels not to produce, support the production of, purchase and broadcast content that is in any way harmful to the health and well being, as well as the depiction, of any animal or species.

BCCC also said such content, is not suitable for public viewing because it is at variance with IBF?s Content Code & Certification Rules, 2011, which specifically stipulates that ?the subject-matter treatment of any programme under all categories shall not in any manner glamorise, promote, encourage such activities and sports, which encourage ecological imbalance and hurt animals.?

Unrestricted depiction of wild animals in serials may also encourage the possession of wildlife as trophies, as the Code specifically stipulates that ?While the overall theme, storyline and characterisation may justify one or more specific scenes of crime or violence, the subject-matter treatment of such content under all categories shall not encourage the possession of wildlife as trophies.?

Depiction of cruelty to animals has been defined as one in which ?a living animal is intentionally harmed, maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded or killed or any other such conduct that is illegal under the animal-protection laws?; and depiction of animal ?suffering?, which is defined as ?physical or mental pain or distress or trauma caused to a human being or an animal by mistreatment?, may promote the willful infraction of animal protection laws, and the breach of the fundamental duty cast upon every citizen of India by Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution of India, to show compassion for living creatures.

NEW DELHI: The Broadcast Content Complaints Council, a self-regulatory body of non-news television channels, has advised TV channels to strictly adhere to and comply with the guidelines to ?Regulate child participation in TV serials, reality shows and advertisements 2010-2011? issued by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

In its 15th meeting on 13 July, the BCCC headed by Justice A P Shah had held wide-ranging discussions on the issue of participation of children in television reality shows and similar programmes.

In its guidelines in October-November last year, NCPCR had among other things said reality shows on television featuring children should not be competition based and no child should be exposed to ridicule, insult or discouragement, harsh comments or any behaviour that could affect his/her emotional health.

In the case of TV shows with abuse, violence, death etc. as the subject matter, where a child can come under stress or there are child actors, producers should ensure that a child psychologist/counselor should be available on call.

In extensive guidelines to regulate child participation in TV serials, reality shows and advertisements issued by the NCPCR and sent to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, it has been stated that no child should be cast in a role or situation that is inappropriate to the child or that may distress him/her or put him/her in embarrassing situations. Consideration has to be given to the child?s age, maturity, emotional or psychological development and sensitivity.

The guidelines say no child should be shown to be imbibing alcohol, smoking or any other substance use or shown to be indulging in any sort of antisocial activity and delinquent behaviour. No child should be engaged in any situation involving nudity (either of the child or another person). No child should be put in distressing situations to obtain a more realistic depiction of an emotional reaction. In programmes based on victims of child abuse, the content should be sensitively handled and the way children are projected should not harm or risk their welfare.

The NCPCR which functions under the Women and Child Development ministry says no child should be made to perform or enact scenes or mouth dialogues that are inappropriate for his/her age or those that may cause him/her distress.

The Child Welfare Committee may monitor production conditions; programme content and other such provisions recommended by NCPCR and keep the Women and Child Development Ministry as well as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry informed on issues related to violation.

Participation of children in scenes depicting violence whether verbal or physical should be avoided.

NEW DELHI: The Broadcast Content Complaints Council has advised member television channels of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) to exercise due care while framing plotlines that "focus excessively on mistreatment of women".

An advisory issued by BCCC chairman Justice A P Shah says: "Often such mistreatment is portrayed in terms of assault, abuse and commodification of women. Sometimes such portrayals are sought to be justified on the grounds that the serials actually take a stand against the mistreatment of women even though the scenes are shot in a manner designed to appeal to salacious instincts and to demean women".

The BCCC has no desire to needlessly curtail artistic freedom or to deny that women face injustice in our society. Nevertheless, the Council is concerned that such portrayals reinforce negative stereotypes and is worried about the graphic portrayal of the assaults and abuse shown on TV.

Shah adds: "If violence against women is to be portrayed, then it should be suggested rather than graphically depicted. Channels should think carefully before telecasting shows in which women are portrayed as commodities, subjected to excessive violence and abused on screen."

The BCCC asked for "sensitivity and restraint" and expressed the hope that members will take care to use the power and reach of television for constructive rather than salacious purposes.

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Although Colors has assured the self-regulatory industry body Broadcasting Contents Complaints Council (BCCC) that the contract of Indo-Canadian porn star Sunny Leone will be terminated if she does not stop promotion of the channel or Bigg Boss 5 on her website, the matter is far from over.

A BCCC source told indiantelevision.com that the reply of the channel would be placed before the chairperson of BCCC, Justice KL Shah, and other members to take a final view. The source did admit, however, that there was no vulgarity in the daily reality show which is to be wind up in about two weeks.

Earlier, a Colors spokesperson clarified the position following the self-regulatory body asking the channel to take Leone out of the series, which she had entered on 21 November.

The channel said that Sunny Leone had been asked in the past to not use Colors or Bigg Boss Season 5 in any form.And now we have decided to write letter to her informing that in case reference to Bigg Boss Season 5 are not removed from her website, we shall immediately terminate her contract and evict her from Bigg Boss House," it said.

The spokesperson said the channel had clarified its position to the BCCC, which "agreed with our position that content on the show is in compliance with self-regulatory guidelines."

"BCCC also appreciated that there is no evidence to suggest that there is any link between Colors and cross promotion of Bigg Boss Season 5 on Sunny Leone?s sites," Colors said.

However, the spokesperson added that "BCCC requested us to use our commercial endeavours to persuade Sunny Leone to not use Bigg Boss Season 5 or Colors on her websites, and we assured BCCC of our efforts on the same".

The BCCC set up by the Indian Broadcasters Foundation (IBF) had reacted after considering 19 complaints, asking Colors TV to stop by December 26 all cross promotion of Leone?s pornographic sites and videos - something she is reported to have done since she appeared on the show.

hile anyone was free to appear on any show, the regulator said no one could promote their business through it, particularly when it is illegal under Indian law.

National Commission for Minorities Chairman Wajahat Habibullah who represented the body on the BCCC said, "We all agreed that Sunny Leone has been using Bigg Boss on Colors to promote pornography which is classified as criminal activity in India. Therefore, she can not be allowed to use our television to promote her business. Colors has agreed to comply and report back on steps taken."

The petition on which the Council gave its ruling detailed how Leone?s adult website stated that she is on Bigg Boss and lures people to "see why the world is obsessed with her?"

Leone?s pornographic product is linked to twitter where an entire team of dummy tweeters (on her behalf) create consistent engagement and product sales of her videos even while she is on Bigg Boss. She authors a daily blog where video postings, procured from Bigg Boss 5 producers are being openly cross promoted. She has posted on her Twitter ID - which has 86,000 followers - that mobile applications of her hard porn products are available via email and has given an address.