HC asks I

New Delhi, Mar 26 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today directed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to consider the representations of the four media organisations -- Indian Broadcasting Foundation, News Broadcasters Association, Indian Media Group and Editors Guild -- on the code of content for the broadcasting.

A bench headed by Chief Justice M K Sharma directed the ministry to consider the representations of the media bodies and file the follow up report within four weeks.

The court's direction came on a petition filed by an NGO 'People for Cause' for raising the illegality and grievances challenging the unchecked depiction of violence, sex and obscenity in the media which is against the values of Indian traditions.

The petitioner said irrational use of pornography, sex, sensuality and obscenity, freely displayed and published, is an offence under section 293, 292, 294 of the IPC.

The petitioner urged the court to intervene and direct the authorities to frame complete guidelines for controlling this practice urgently.

The court had earlier directed the government to discuss with the media organisations and frame guidelines and submit the action taken report.

The ministry had last year tried to bring a content code but had to defer the move after strong protests by broadcasters who felt the code would stifle the broadcast media. A content code committee was also formed by the ministry in consultation with the media groups.

The ministry submitted its views along with content code committee's final report in the court yesterday after deleting several objectionable clauses which were incorporated earlier.

The matter will come up for next hearing on May 14.

UNI SNG SW RS1938