Date:04/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/04/stories/2006080409450100.htm

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CBFC clearance must for telecast of films, songs

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: No film, film song, music video, or even their promotionals and trailers can be beamed into television through the cable network without clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a notification to this effect on Thursday. It will be applicable to content produced in India and elsewhere.

This notification comes into immediate effect.

Only recently the Bombay High Court, in a judgment, had directed the cable operators not to carry any programme unsuitable for unrestricted viewing.

The order was issued on a public interest litigation petition articulating the growing alarm among the general public about the content on television.

Advertising rules

The Ministry has also effected a change in the advertising rules, under which no advertisement — which violates the code for self-regulation in advertising as adopted by the Advertising Standard Council of India (Mumbai) for public exhibition in India — will be carried on the cable network.