MUMBAI: Kids TV channels in India had better watch out. The Broadcast Content Complaints Council (BCCC) has sent out a warning to members of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation cautioning them to be more circusmpect about the programming they air on their channels.

In an advisory to its members the BCCC chairperson justice AP Shah has stated that ”while the BCCC wishes to avoid being a censoring agency, it advises all IBF member channels, particularly children’s/cartoon channels, to be more cautious in the selection of the content shown, considering the impressionable minds of their target viewers.The emphasis should be on the “best interest of the child”.”
 
The letter from BCCC says that it has received several complaints regarding the telecast of content on channels meant for children, including cartoon channels.

The complaints have broadly been about:

*Telecast of “objectionable” content, visuals, theme, animation and/or use of “inappropriate” language in some programmes aired on children’s/cartoon channels. This includes foreign cartoon shows and their translated/adapted versions.

* Telecast of films/movie clips classified as UA, including horror/action films, on children’s/cartoon channels.

* Telecast of “objectionable” promos of programmes meant for more mature viewers on children’s/cartoon channels.
The BCCC has acknowledged that it has taken note “of the contention of some broadcasters that there is no separate classification of channels as those meant exclusively for children and, therefore, there can be no additional restraint on the telecast of content, even if it is meant largely for adult viewers.

The Council, however, is of the opinion that as a matter of fact, some channels consider children to be their principal target viewers. Consequently, it is children who overwhelmingly watch these channels and unsuspecting parents allow them easy access to programmes aired on such channels.”