BCCC advises IBF against salacious portrayal of women in TV serials

NEW DELHI: The Broadcast Content Complaints Council has advised member television channels of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) to exercise due care while framing plotlines that "focus excessively on mistreatment of women".

An advisory issued by BCCC chairman Justice A P Shah says: "Often such mistreatment is portrayed in terms of assault, abuse and commodification of women. Sometimes such portrayals are sought to be justified on the grounds that the serials actually take a stand against the mistreatment of women even though the scenes are shot in a manner designed to appeal to salacious instincts and to demean women".

The BCCC has no desire to needlessly curtail artistic freedom or to deny that women face injustice in our society. Nevertheless, the Council is concerned that such portrayals reinforce negative stereotypes and is worried about the graphic portrayal of the assaults and abuse shown on TV.

Shah adds: "If violence against women is to be portrayed, then it should be suggested rather than graphically depicted. Channels should think carefully before telecasting shows in which women are portrayed as commodities, subjected to excessive violence and abused on screen."

The BCCC asked for "sensitivity and restraint" and expressed the hope that members will take care to use the power and reach of television for constructive rather than salacious purposes.