MUMBAI: After being caught completely off-guard by the massive protests in New Delhi to condemn the rise in rape cases, the government has blamed ?some? news channels for irresponsible reporting that led to the deterioration of the law and order situation.

The Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has issued an advisory asking news channels to adhere to the Programme Code laid down in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 failing which the government will take appropriate action.

"It has been observed that some private satellite news TV channels in their 24X7 coverage have not been showing due responsibility and maturity in telecasting the events relating to the said demonstration and such a telecast is likely to cause deterioration in the law & order situation, hindering the efforts of the law enforcing authorities," the advisory from I&B ministry Joint Secretary Supriya Sahu read.

The government said that the Rule 6(1)(e) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994, which contains the Programme Code, provides that no programme should be carried in the cable service which is likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order or which promotes anti-national attitude.

"Now, therefore, all private satellite television channels are advised to scrupulously follow the Programme Code laid down in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 and to ensure to telecast the matter in a responsible manner with due care, maturity and restraint," the advisory added.

The government also warned that, "Any violation of the Programme Code will invite such action as provided for in the Cable Television (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed there under as well as the terms & conditions stipulated in Uplinking & Downlinking Guidelines."

MUMBAI: Under criticism from all quarters over lack of action to improve the condition of football in the country, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its marketing partner IMG Reliance are planning a IPL-style franchise-based league that would run parallel to I League, the national club competition.

?The franchise based league was always part of the contract with IMG Reliance, but as of now nothing has been finalised. We received a lot of suggestions on how to go about the league,? AIFF general secretary Kushal Das told Indiantelevision.

The AIFF today held a meeting at its headquarters in New Delhi attended by its members as well as representatives of IMGR.

Some members suggested keeping the league limited to six franchises while some suggested having an eight team event. ?We will be inviting franchises for the league, I League club owners can also take part in the process. However, we are yet to finalise anything,? asserted Das.

While it is true that the AIFF and IMGR faced flak from I League clubs for failing to bring about any perceptible change in Indian football, what also got the two parties working is the launch of Premier League Soccer in West Bengal which stole the limelight and grabbed international attention.

The Indian Football Association sanctioned league which saw millions of dollars being splurged on franchises and players has hit rough waters since it was announced with much fun-fare. The league which was expected to be held in March had to be postponed due to lack of proper infrastructure and support from the state government.

The AIFF is planning to create a two-month window after the conclusion of I-League. However, questions are being raised whether players will be able to participate in the competition after playing for six months of grueling football in the I League.

To accommodate the new league and to take care of player fatigue the AIFF might consider shortening the I League as well. ?There were suggestions that the I League should be shortened to accommodate the new league,? added Das.

The AIFF is confident that both Indian and international players will be part of the league. Fabio Cannavaro and Hernan Crespo, who were part of the PLS, are likely to play alongside top Indian players like Sunil Chhetri, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Syed Rahim Nabi.

The Indian Football Association (West Bengal), the governing body of football in West Bengal, had signed a 30-year deal with Celebrity Management Group to launch the PLS on the lines of US? Major League Soccer. The PLS had earned Rs 797.5 million from the sale of six franchises.

Players like Hernan Crespo, Jay Jay Okocha, Concecao, Robert Pires and Fabio Cannavaro had signed up as icon players. The international media rights of the league were sold to sports media company MP & Silva.

NEW DELHI: Naresh Chahal has officially taken charge at Multi Screen Media (MSM) as vice president, head of corporate affairs.

Indiantelevision.com was the first to report that Chahal, who was Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) director ? finance, had put in his papers and would be joining MSM.

Chahal, who confirmed of his new posting, said that he would be based out of New Delhi.

On his joining, MSM CEO Manjit Singh said, ?We are privileged to have Naresh Chahal working with us. He has wide experience in broadcasting and finance and we are sure this will help our network to grow.?

A qualified Chartered Accountant by profession, Chahal has been associated with the IBF since its inception.

MUMBAI: Swedish carmaker Volvo has signed a three-year agreement with Professional Golf Tour of India as the official automobile partner beginning 2012 and running through to 2014.

The strategic partnership will also mark the India debut of Volvo?s flagship event ?Volvo World Golf Challenge?. The announcement was made jointly by PGTI director Padamjit Sandhu and Volvo Auto India MD Tomas Ernberg.

As part of this joint endeavour, Volvo will be the Official Automobile Partner for all PGTI-sanctioned professional events in India this year. Each of Volvo?s seven dealerships will host a golf tournament this year, which will be supervised by PGTI.

The best-placed finishers at each event will qualify for the national final in New Delhi later this year, at which the two leading golfers will win an invitation to compete in the World Final next January.

?Golf is a sport that resonates with Volvo?s core values of quality, integrity and fair play. We have nurtured a long and cherished commitment to premier golf tournaments. With ?Volvo World Golf Challenge? we aim to make India an integral part of a truly multinational tournament that begins at home and ends in a celebration of golf at the annual World Final," Ernberg said.

?We are happy to be associated with PGTI in our joint endeavour of promoting professional golf in India, while engaging with relevant stakeholders across levels,? he added.

Announcing the partnership, PGTI Director Padamjit Singh Sandhu said, ?The partnership with Volvo provides us a great opportunity to leverage professional golf in India. Volvo has been supporting and promoting golf across the world, and our association with Volvo in India will help us leverage more opportunities for all invested stakeholders.?

The Volvo World Golf Challenge is a golf tournament for customers and prospective clients with participation of more than 50,000 club golfers from over 25 countries.