Draft TV content code prohibits depiction of women as witches

New Delhi, Jul 21 (UNI) Women should not be depicted as witches in any TV programme on occult, according to the final draft content code for TV channels released by the Ministry for comments of public and stakeholders.

The content code says that programmes dealing with exorcism, occult, paranormal, divination, human and animal sacrifice or other such practices depicting horror should be placed in the 'Adult' category, which will be shown only late in the night.

The programmes should treat these subjects in a way that they do not justify, encourage and glamourise such practices, or instill fear or revulsion about consequences of not following such practices.

They should also not encourage blind belief or superstition in the efficacy of such practices.

The subjects should be treated in such a manner that viewers are not enabled to emulate such practices or learn their detail or sources.

The code strictly prohibits depiction of women as witches in any programme. Such a depiction would be in a very bad taste and amount to demonisation of human beings.

In the prelude to the Code, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said that dignity of women and children should be maintained.

The guidelines also prohibit prolonged and frequent depiction of excessive horror related to occult and other subjects mentioned above.

The draft code, prepared after a long process of discussions and debates, says that the government would ensure a more responsible treatment by TV channels of the above subjects and other sensitive ones like crime, sex, nudity and alcohol.

UNI