By S Paul
These days, TV serials, being very popular social entertainment and accessible to most through DTH or cable, carry a very potent audio–visual influence on the viewers. But it appears that, like the control of the Censor Board on films, there seems to be none as effective for the TV content. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) does not certify TV programmes and serials in India. However, the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act of 1995 does prescribe content and advertising codes for cable TV networks. Their censor capability is not as strict as that of the CBFC. Consequently, the evil and immoral attitude of our society gets exhibited. Women derogating other women (Saas-Bahu-Nand) and men taking advantage of situations; Use of firearms to settle disputes; Children’s minds being poisoned by adults against their own parents; women being molested by a gang of young men hired by a villainous male or female character; a man having two wives in the play are some of the examples. Many gullible young people get affected by such depictions and then, in imitation, they commit crimes. The soaps are dishing out all wrong and uneducated society’s traditions. All such wrong practices ought to be discouraged and only the subjects which encourage refinement in our social behaviour depicted. A strong censorship effort is the need of our time. Would the ministry of information and broadcasting take heed?
