BCCC issues advisories to GECs on child safety and sexualisation

The two advisories are related to sexualisation of children in TV shows and their health & safety

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | December 26, 2012

Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC), the self-regulatory body for non-news general entertainment channels, has issued two advisories for member channels of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) after receiving many complaints about the sexualisation of children and safety concerns of children in talent and other shows on GECs.

Stressing the need for issuing the two child-related advisories, BCCC Chairperson Justice (Retd) AP Shah, said, “Children command a crucial position both as viewers and participants of television programmes. The BCCC firmly believes that their interest cannot be compromised under any circumstance. This is also the letter and the spirit of various laws and enactments relating to our children.”

He added, “The BCCC is confident that both the advisories – 'Sexualisation of Children in TV Shows' and 'Health & Safety of Children in TV Shows' – will be strictly followed by the various TV channels during the production and telecast of their programmes. Our intention is to make television viewing a pleasurable experience for all, particularly children.”

Under the advisory titled 'Sexualisation of Children in TV Shows', BCCC has advised all IBF member channels to refrain from featuring children below the age of 12 years in any situation that has sexual or adult overtones. For instance, children should not be made to dance to songs that have covert sexual overtones. They should not be allowed to imitate adult gestures with a sexual or vulgar content. And they should not be placed in situations where they wear makeup and costumes in an effort to imitate adult performers and then enact scenes, songs or dance moves with an adult content or a sexual subtext.

This advisory applies to all such situations and BCCC will not consider it a mitigating circumstance if the channel has secured the permission of parents. BCCC has stated that its concern is with protecting children and in ensuring that Indian television portrays them in a manner that is devoid of sexual or vulgar overtones.

In the other advisory related to health and safety of children participating in TV shows, BCCC has advised all member channels to refrain from placing children below the age of 16 years in situations that may endanger their health, safety and morale.

“The content of any production and/or reality show that may cause anxiety/distress/ mental trauma to the participating children must be avoided. The content of all shows should be sensitively handled, and the way children are projected should not harm or pose any risk to their safety and well-being, or cause any kind of health hazard,” stated the advisory.

According to the advisory, emphasis should be placed on the “best interest of the child”. The child must be consulted and heard at all times throughout by all concerned. The participation of any child in any show, which may interfere with his/her 'right to education' in terms of effective school participation, should be avoided.

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