NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said there were only three complaints of television channels promoting superstition and blind belief in 2013 and 2014.
He told Parliament that the existing provisions contained in the Programme and Advertisement Codes and existing mechanism are considered adequate to regulate content.
However, advisories were issued in November 2011 and June last year to all channels not to promote such programmes.
The complaints on which warnings were issued include: ‘Ladkiyon Ka Gumnaam Bodyguard’ which promoted superstition and blind belief on Bansal News last year and ‘Rahasya’ for promoting superstition and blind belief on India News earlier this year.
An advisory was issued following telecast of ‘Aaj No Mahima, Desh Ni Gruh Dasha’ showing superstition and blind belief on Sandesh News (Transmedia News) in June last year.
Javadekar said the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder do not provide for any pre-censorship of such programmes.
However, programmes telecast on such TV channels are required to conform to the Programme Code prescribed under Rules 6 of Cable Television Network Rules 1994. Specifically, Rule 6 (1) (j) of the Programme Code provides that no programme should be carried in the Cable Service which encourages superstition and blind-belief.
Appropriate action is taken against the channel, if violation of the Programme Code is established.
