MUMBAI: In two separate cases, the ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has asked channels VTV and DY 365 to be taken off air. 

In the first case, VTV has been asked to go off air for a day on 16 December, for violating the provisions of the programme code under Cable TV Networks Regulation Act of 1995. The channel telecast a news programme namely, ‘viral truth’ on 20 March 2017 at 7 pm in which a man could be seen brutally beating up children in an orphanage and the video started trending on social media alleging that this incident occurred in RMVM school of Valsad Gujarat. However, when the channel conducted its own investigation about this video, it found that the video was of an incident in an orphanage in Egypt. While reporting the news, the channel showed disturbing visuals of the orphan kids who were beaten up and thrashed brutally by the manager.

The inter-ministerial committee believes the channel tried to sensationalise the issue to grab the attention of its viewers and such visuals not only offend good taste/decency but also denigrate children by showing them being brutally tortured.

In the second case, an Assamese channel DY 365 has been asked to go off air for three days from  15-18 December 2017. It telecast a news report on 6 June 2017 at 12.59 pm in which a man could be seen tossing a new-born baby up and down in the air. He hurls and slings the baby in every possible manner and direction without a shred of care and concern. The video meant to expose an extremely dangerous superstition allegedly prevalent in some parts of Assam where people believe that undergoing this ritual will keep the child safe. 

The ministry believes the visuals are extremely disturbing, and not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition and has recommended that the channel may be handed Three days off-air penalty for violation of the provisions of programme & advertising codes.

The channel was in violation of Rule 6 (1) (a), (l) & (o) of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995.

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