Thursday, 7 February 2013

Ministry of I&B's Advisory to All private FM channels


ADVISORY

            It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that despite signing of Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA), which prohibits broadcast of objectionable, obscene, unauthorized matter inconsistent with the laws of India and despite the recent Advisory dated 15th October, 2012; objectionable content are sometimes broadcast on  private FM Radio Channels.  It has been noticed that the language used by many Radio Jockeys is sometimes indecent, offensive and aggressive. Comments on current affairs and news that are meant to bypass the provisions of the GOPA are also being made by some stations.

            It has also been brought to the notice of MIB that some FM operators are making unsolicited calls to members of the public and disturbing their privacy by way of aggressive comments and conversation which are being broadcast without the prior knowledge and consent of these individuals.  
                       
            Such acts of making prank calls, which violate the privacy of individuals cannot be permitted since these violate the programme code and the advertisement code prescribed in the GOPA.

            The recent sad death of a nurse of Indian origin in a London hospital allegedly because of a prank call from an Australian FM station; underscores the importance of curbing such unsolicited  verbal pursuit of private individuals by FM channels since these can have tragic and unforeseen consequences. All private FM Broadcasters are aware of Clause 11.2 of GOPA which provides that the permission holder should follow the same programme and advertisement code as followed by All India Radio.

            All private FM channels should adhere to all the clauses, specially Clause 7.6 and 11.2 of GOPA in letter and spirit failing which they will under themselves liable for taking action as per the relevant clauses of GOPA. 

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