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Ficci Frames 2016: Revamped system is under way for more layers of certification

While one of the panelists was very optimistic about the improvement in the certification system, most others felt that there is a strong need for self-regulation

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Ficci Frames 2016: Revamped system is under way for more layers of certification

Ficci Frames 2016: Revamped system is under way for more layers of certification

While one of the panelists was very optimistic about the improvement in the certification system, most others felt that there is a strong need for self-regulation

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | April 1, 2016

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On Day 2 of Ficci Frames 2016, a session titled 'Making sense of sensibilities : A discussion on the censorship issues in India' talked about the problems and possible improvements in the censorship and certification system.

The session, moderated by independent journalist and media strategist Vasanti Hariprasad, witnessed a healthy debate about the level of censorship and the extremism of certification. Participants in the panel were Sameer Nair, Group Director & CEO, Balaji Telefilms; Uday Singh, Managing Director, Motion Picture Association (India Office); and Ramesh Sippy, Co-Chairman, FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee.

The discussions delved upon the extent of censorship and control of certification board on the content being disseminated among the public. Hariprasad clearly started off with the fact how censorship had moved on to certification with U (below 18) and A (above 18). But is that enough? She also pointed out how the filmmakers might be getting discouraged when a certain creative piece is stuck in a series of certifications and ratings.

The panelists had their opinions on the censorship. Here are a few:

Uday Singh, MD, Motion Picture Association (India Office):

“It is true that what works for a kid might not work for an adult and vice versa. However, I believe that the decision of what to consume should be left to the audience. They are deciding their consumption patterns at their homes, workplaces and with all other things around. Abroad, it is a more voluntary system of censorship where every industry self-regulates itself. I strongly believe that the same should happen in India where self-regulation by the industry is in place, along with serious backing from the government. The person who is buying a ticket and walking into a theatre is making an informed decision and we must leave it to him to decide.”

Sameer Nair, Group Director & CEO, Balaji Telefilms:

“On TV, it is not possible for anyone to watch those thousands of hours of content, and hence, self-regulation has come into the picture for TV content. However, I feel that TV has moved to another extreme where everything is 'beep-ed'. It might also be because people are these days getting hurt by anything, from social media updates to books to anything. I also believe that though we talk about having gotten into certification and ratings, a movie with 250 cuts getting an 18+ viewership certificate is not a rating system – it is still censorship!”

Ramesh Sippy, Co-Chairman, FICCI Media & Entertainment Committee:

“We have definitely moved on to the certification and ratings system and will soon be setting up our own ratings system with more layers to it. It is true that there are controversies in the certification board and the system. But they are doing a good job. I don't think it should matter what is done on screen, as long as it is in the range of storytelling and in line with the content. These sensibilities should be left to the audience. I am optimistic that self-regulation will come into play sooner or later. I don't deny that there is a lot being shown on the screen which might have a bad influence, but then, it is for everyone to understand the concept of 'freedom with responsibility'. We will soon have a revamped certification and ratings system with many layers of certifications.”

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