Govt. monitors satellite TV channels for obscenity

While responding to a supplementary by Congress leader P.J. Kurien, who pointed out that some programmes and advertisements on satellite TV channels were so explicit that they could not be watched with the entire family, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said during the question hour of the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the government is monitoring the satellite TV channels to prevent obscenity.

"Not enough is being done. We are working with all stakeholders to monitor content in a more effective way. I can tell you that I am personally monitoring this. Some channels have shown the aptitude for self-regulation. If there are violations, notices and advisories are sent to the concerned individuals," she said, adding that the content on satellite channels was governed by the Cable Network Act of 1995.

She also said that the conditional access system (CAS) for direct-to-home (DTH) reception of satellite channels was being extended to non-metros. "It will be extended to more cities in the future," Soni said.

Responding to another supplementary on the steps that the government was taking to prevent DVD piracy of blockbuster Bollywood movies, Soni said: "We have constituted a small group on this. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have special laws on this. The state governments are being asked to take stringent measures to prevent piracy."