NEW DELHI -- India's government warned Feb. 16 that it will introduce a super regulator for the broadcasting industry in the next few months, and open up latenight television for adult viewing.
Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy told industry stakeholders and content providers in New Delhi that legislation would shortly be introduced in parliament to set up an autonomous regulator for the broadcasting sector.
This follows growing concern over increasing violence and vulgarity on television, especially as satellite begin to make inroads.
Reddy made it clear that the laws would include measures to control channels uplinking from outside the country.
While India has a plethora of film censorship boards at federal and state levels, regulating TV content has been left to the channels that follow guidelines set by the ministry.
But self-regulation is failing, according to the minister, who is particularly incensed at steamy musicvideos being screened during primetime, and public complaints are increasing.
However, Reddy said he intended to allow adult viewing after 11 p.m. for the first time in India.
Movies with adult content would have to be cleared by the federal film censor board. Soap operas and other programming would be governed by the new regulatory mechanism.
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