I&B ministry wanted Bigg Boss time slot moved for kids

The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has claimed that they asked Colors channel to move telecast timings of its reality show Bigg Boss 4 from prime time to 11 pm “in the interest of children”, so that they “do not fall victim to ugly behaviour of the characters on the said programme”.

The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has claimed that they asked Colors channel to move telecast timings of its reality show Bigg Boss 4 from prime time to 11 pm “in the interest of children”, so that they “do not fall victim to ugly behaviour of the characters on the said programme”.

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An affidavit filed by DC Pathek, under secretary (broadcasting content), ministry of I&B, in the Bombay High Court states that they had passed the order on November 16 after carefully considering all facts and previewing clippings.

A division bench of Justice DK Deshmukh and Justice ND Deshpande was hearing a petition filed by Viacom 18 Private Limited, challenging the I&B ministry’s order asking them to shift their show timings.

Ameet Naik of Naik Paranjpe and company, counsels for Viacom 18, said they would field their rejoinder affidavit before next hearing on December 8.

Counsel for the Centre, Dr GR Sharma and advocate Ashok Varma, filed the affidavit, which states that as the programme is telecast daily, there was no time to give a show-cause notice. “No necessity was felt to issue a show-cause notice to Colors to present their case as immediate and urgent action was warranted in the given circumstances to protect children from harmful effects of the content of this programme,” states the affidavit.