It is a give-and-take bargain for TV viewers. They may get the right to complain against entertainment channels for poor content but for that, the channels want the government to allow them to show adult programmes at night.
In exchange for regulation, private entertainment channels
have sought the Information and Broadcasting Ministry’s permission to telecast adult programmes after 10.30 at night.
The Indian Broadcasting Foundation — a body of private television channels — has presented the ministry with a programming schedule listing out timings for the telecast of content for different sections of society.
According to it, the 4 pm to 7 pm slot would be reserved exclusively for children, content between 10.30 pm and 4 am would be for the adult audience, whereas the morning hours would have religious content. “There should be a window timing for all. In this, entertainment exclusively for adults is also important,” explained Naresh Chahal, executive director of the Foundation.
But before allowing adult content on television, the ministry wants private broadcasters to put up a strong self-regulatory mechanism. “Already, there is so much complaint about content on television and channels have not been able to redress people’s grievances. Unless they prove their self-regulatory mechanism is effective, allowing adult content would not be in the interest of viewers,” a senior ministry official said.