NEW DELHI: Indian channels seem to be finally toeing the line. The number of TV channels violating codes has been on a decline over the years. As many as 54 private television channels have violated the programme and advertising codes since 2014, though the number has been dipping, the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) was informed.

17 channels each violated the code in 2014 and 2015, while 16 channels in 2016, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani said in a written reply on Thursday to question from a fellow parliamentarian.

However, there was a sharp dip in 2017 with only four channels found to have violated the code. No violations have been reported yet this year.

The minister said that all the programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels were required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994.

The minister added that the regulations do not provide for pre-censorship of any programme or advertisement telecast on the channels. However, all programmes and advertisements were required to be in conformity with the relevant codes, which contain a whole range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels.

Irani said that action is taken against TV channels as per uplinking and downlinking guidelines whenever any violation of the codes is established.

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