Kerala - Kozhikode

New guidelines to monitor cable television content

Kozhikode: The decision of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting defining the role of State and District Monitoring Committees for private television channels is expected to improve the quality of programmes, both news-based as well as commercial, of many existing channel in the State.

The State government is yet to form a committee at the State-level and at district levels under the Cable Television Networks (Regulations) Act.

In the meantime, the Centre is receiving complaints from viewers regarding malpractices by cable operators and undesirable content being shown at the local level, according to officials.

The new guidelines have been issued to ensure effective functioning of these committees.

The district committee will be a platform for the public to lodge complaints regarding content on cable television at the local level.

It could also bring to the notice of the State government and the Centre any programme affecting public order or causing wide-spread resentment in any community.

The committee will also monitor the availability of free-to-air channels and channels notified as mandatory on a cable network.

Under the guidelines, a complaint cell headed by a nodal officer will be set up at the district level.

In the case of a complaint regarding content carried locally by cable TV networks, the committee has been empowered to call for footage and VCD of the programme or advertisement against which the complaint has been filed.

In case the complaint pertains to national or regional satellite channels, the committee will forward its recommendations through the State-level monitoring committee to the Centre to deal with the issue.

In case it is found that a cable network operator is not carrying channels prescribed as mandatory or is carrying them in such a manner that the signal is too poor to be properly visible or audible, the committee may direct the cable network to ensure proper transmission.

The Information and Public Relations Secretary will be the chairman of the State-level committee.

The State-level monitoring committee will oversee the functioning of the district committees, recommend action and forward complaints against satellite channels (national channels) to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting through the Chief Secretary of the State in cases of violation of orders on the programme and advertising codes.

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