India amends Cable TV network rules

The new rules require every broadcaster to be a member of a Self-Regulating Body (SRB) which is to be registered with the Central Government.

New Delhi:The Indian government on Thursday announced changes to the Cable Television Network Rules. The changes are an update to regulations made in 1994, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said. The new rules require every broadcaster to be a member of a Self-Regulating Body (SRB) which is to be registered with the Central Government.

Earlier a two-level Self-Regulating Mechanism was adopted voluntarily by some news and current affairs broadcasters who were members of News Broadcasters Association (NBA) and Broadcasters of General Entertainment Content signed up with the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF). Not all broadcasters were members of these associations and occasionally, matters went to an Inter-Ministerial Committee which was more an informal body.

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By registering SRBs, a legal status is being given to it which was hitherto an initiative of the industry body. The broadcasters are also required to disclose on their websites, details of complaints received and disposed of and action taken on complaints, and reply sent to the complainant. The broadcasters are also required to preserve content for 90 days.

In February, a three-level Self-Regulating Mechanism was put in place for OTT and Digital Media under Information Technology rules known as the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code.

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