In a first, the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh on two TV channels for airing objectionable contents.
Exercising the power conferred to it recently by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation to impose fine upto Rs 30 lakh, the BCCC on Wednesday imposed Rs 10 lakh fine on Big CBS love and Rs 2.5 lakh penalty on Big CBS Spark.
BCCC said it had received a series of complaints against Big CBS love from the Information & Broadcasting Ministry regarding telecast of programmes — Sex and the City, America’s Next Top Model and Britain’s Next Top Model which showed “indecently clad models and characters in objectionable acts”.
The self regulatory body of broadcaster said it was “really shocked to see the clips of the shows in question” and concluded that these programmes were in gross violation of IBF Self-Regulatory Guidelines as well as the Programme Code.
The channel initially replied that it was meant for and watched by a select audience only, but later said that the error had occurred because they had encountered some problem with their Standards and Practices Department. Not buying its arguments, the BCCC imposed the fine and asked the channel to run an apology scroll for seven days.
In case of CBS Spark, the ministry said a telecast on May 2 of a song ‘No lie’ by rappers No Chainz and Drake contained inappropriate lyrics which were grossly offensive.
BCCC after investigation concluded that CBS Spark had violated guidelines and imposed a penalty of Rs 2.5 lakh besides asking it to run an apology scroll for three days.
“While BCCC wishes to avoid being a pre-censoring agency or intrude upon the freedom of media, the Council feels that channels must rely upon their discretion while depicting any content that leads to the stereotyping of minorities,” it said.
Meanwhile, BCCC has also asked TV channels, especially those airing crime shows, to be sensitive when dealing with content depicting acid attacks on women and exercise discretion to avoid stereotyping of minorities.
In an advisory, the BCCC said that it had received several complaints relating to TV content depicting acid attacks, in most cases on women and girls. Acid attacks are among the most heinous of crimes with traumatic, irreversible physical and psychological consequences to the victim, Council Chairman Justice (retd) AP Shah said adding that it was time broadcasters were also sensitised against showing acid attacks.
The BCCC said this is even more pertinent for various crime-based programmes which often depict an acid attack case in detail through dramatised version of a real incident.
“The Council, therefore, advises all channels to be extremely sensitive to the excruciating physical and psychological agony of acid attack victims.” In another advisory it asked TV channels to adopt due diligence to ensure that an entire community is not projected as fanatic, intolerant or criminal said.