Law to impose ethics on tv channels

A Central legislation was needed for imposing the ethics on television channels, said Madras High Court Judge P Jyothimani.

Addressing the National Public Service Broadcasting Day celebrations organised by Broadcast Engineering Society (India) in the city on Tuesday, he said that like cinema,even the television programmes should also be censored.

“The ethics are not followed by the private television channels. The programmes are propagating polygamy,” he said.

Adolescents were susceptible to this kind of propaganda. Hence, a Centralised legislation was needed as the government had a responsibility on public morality, he added.

Chairman and Managing Director of Arasu Cable Corporation Brijeshwar Singh said that private channels were thriving only on entertainment related programmes.

He stressed that the role public service broadcasters was essential as they were detached from government and vested interests.

“But now we should think on how to give freedom for Prasar Bharati from financial constraints, that they can do more experiment with the programme content,” he said.

Financial cushion and creative freedom should be given for public service broadcasters, he added.

Outlining the various models of public service broadcasting in other countries, he said that the public service broadcasters should cater to national identity and minorities.
Thanks: New Indian Express Chennai.

Addendum: Any regulation on Tv content by politicians will be counter productive. What has been urged may be correct but how is the moot point.