BCCC issues two advisories for TV channels

Lays out guidelines on “Portrayal of Persons with Disabilities” and “Depiction & Use of National Flag, National Emblem, National Anthem and Map of India”

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | April 7, 2014

At its 33rd Meeting, the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC), the self-regulatory body of Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) for non-news General Entertainment Channels, issued two advisories on “Portrayal of Persons with Disabilities in TV Programmes” and “Depiction & Use of National Flag, National Emblem, National Anthem and Map of India”. With these two, the number of Advisories issued by BCCC goes up to 10.

The Council dwelt upon portrayals of persons with disabilities in TV programmes, which sometimes, leads to a caricature. The Council felt that adequate protection is necessary to avoid content which may be distasteful, harmful and offensive to persons with disabilities.

The Council cautioned that humour should not be created through any undesirable depiction of persons with disabilities and no derisive and disparaging reference should be made to their disability.

The Council advised all IBF member channels to exercise caution and be sensitive in the portrayal of persons with disabilities, to be conscious of their dignity, and to adopt a mature and responsible tone. At the same time, the Council also advised the channels to look at the inclusion and mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in TV programmes.

The Council also advised all IBF member channels to refrain from airing any content that may amount to misuse or wrong depiction of National Flag, National Emblem, National Anthem and Map of India.

If any depiction/usage of the above becomes necessary as part of a programme's storyline, the channel should take necessary precautions so as to abide by the law of the land.

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