TV channel gets Govt notice over 'Chak De Bachche' Programme

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has shot off a notice to entertainment TV channel 9X over its 'Chak De Bachche' programme telecast in the beginning of this month.

The channel has invited action as it violated the rules by live telecast of the programme, as live uplinking is not allowed to general entertainment channels except under special permission.

A Ministry official told UNI that the channel had asked for permission for live uplinking but was denied as the reality show involved some issues relating to violation of the law against child labour, which were liable for action by the National Commission for Child Rights.

However, despite denial of permission, the 9X went ahead with live uplinking of the programme, which cannot but invite punishment, he said.

The channel, which was served the notice this week only, has been given two weeks' time to reply.

The Ministry had earlier this month also taken action against three more TV channels for indecent and vulgar programmes and advertisements.

Yesterday, it had also sent a notice to the India Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) asking it to direct TV channels to withdraw the 'Axe Dark Temptation Deodarant', saying that the contents were ''indecent, vulgar and repulsive''.

The issue of regulation of TV content has been occupying centre stage in the country's media circles for over two years ago after the Government tried to bring in a Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill and a TV content code.

While the broadcasters have strongly resisted such a move underscoring that self-regulation was the best way out, the Government has been telling them that it also supported self-regulation by the industry to work, but it cannot totally abdicate its responsibility of exercising regulatory powers where extremely necessary.

Meanwhile, yesterday the news broadcasters came out with a regulatory mechanism.

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