Picture imperfect

To consider anyone falling foul of the law, one must first ensure that the law is clearly spelt out.

To consider anyone falling foul of the law, one must first ensure that the law is clearly spelt out. The same goes for rule-breakers and rules. By deciding to prepare a ‘new’ comprehensive content code for broadcasters, I&B Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi is proceeding along a path that could lift the mist of confusion that accompanies a channel being hauled up for airing something that the government believes they shouldn’t. At last, broadcasters will clearly know what the rules are so as to steer clear of any content that breaks those rules. Or so we hope.

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The television medium in a country like India has an enormous reach that cuts across cultures and values. In such a context, programming needs to be careful not to go overboard. So we appreciate the proposed restriction of ‘adult content’ (certified ‘A’ by censors) on TV between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. No one should have any problem with that — once there is a consensus over what adult fare is and isn’t. Slightly more subjective (read: confusing) is the rule about not allowing women to be shown “in a bad light”. Does that mean a film like Shyam Benegal’s Mandi, depicting life in a Maharashtra brothel, can be aired? Will news channels be allowed to run programmes highlighting abused women? Or those showing women as perpetrators? What about music videos or filmi song-and-dance sequences that depict women as part of the general ambience? There will be hair-splitters who will need to put their heads together and come up with a standardised rule on this matter.