Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
India

Rajya Sabha Members Find Reality Shows, 'Bigg Boss' Indecent

IANS, 09 Dec, 2014 12:46 PM
  • Rajya Sabha Members Find Reality Shows, 'Bigg Boss' Indecent
Rajya Sabha members feel reality shows like "Bigg Boss" are against Indian values, and urged the information and broadcasting ministry to take action.
 
In a question to the information and broadcasting minister, Samajwadi Party (SP) member Vishambhar Prasad Nishad said: "There is one show which has cameras filming women bathing in open, in another show, 'Man v/s Wild', there is a man eating insects. Have you taken any action against them?"
 
"There are shows which are against morals.. they show multiple marriages, indecency, violence ... Is there any evaluation of its bad effects on common people and children?" he asked.
 
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said the "definition of morals, what is worth watching, what is not worth watching, the definition is different for every area, society and family. Government only gives a broad outline".
 
"If someone violated the content code, we take action. There is also a number which is flashed at the bottom of the screen for those who have any complaint on the content," he said.
 
However, several other members also had problems with the reality shows.
 
Congress' Vijaylaxmi Sadho hit out at reality show "Bigg Boss", saying: "Every day, bad things are shown in the show 'Bigg Boss'. What is the government doing about it."
 
Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athawale went on to say that there should be good social and political discussions on shows like "Bigg Boss".
 
"Once they had called me to 'Bigg Boss' as well, but my name was later withdrawn... There is need to have some control on the reality shows. There must be some social and political discussions (in the shows)." 
 
Senior Congress leader Karan Singh was also of similar opinion. "I do not watch these shows, but at times when we see it by mistake... there is lot of indecency. Young girls are made to dance, which is against our culture."
 
Responding to the comments, Rathore said the government does not want to impinge on freedom of expression.
 
"Because there are a number of channels, there is undoubtedly a race to attract as many eyeballs as possible. Therefore, most of these channels, no doubt, are walking a very thin line and working in that grey area.
 
"However, there is freedom of expression. Therefore, the government does not want to impinge on the freedom of expression. Keeping in mind the morality, keeping in mind the decency, keeping in mind the various levels of acceptance on television, certain guidelines have been issued. 
 
"What the ministry can say is that yes, we will issue advisories and we will also take into account any complaint that comes," Rathore said.
 
The minister also said that during the last one year 40,000 complaints have been received, of which action has been taken in 1,500 cases.
 
He said broadcasters have committed themselves to self-regulation and the government does not want to infringe upon freedom of expression but can act based on complaints received.

MORE India ARTICLES

When It's Sweets, It Has To Be Lovely!

When It's Sweets, It Has To Be Lovely!
The Jalandhar-based Lovely Sweets Mall has over the last five decades mastered the art of tickling the taste buds of people across northern India, particularly in Punjab.

When It's Sweets, It Has To Be Lovely!

Parliament House getting worn: Should a new one be built?

Parliament House getting worn: Should a new one be built?
From the outside it looks imposing and its unique circular shape makes it one of the landmarks of the Indian capital and a prime tourist attraction. But the 87-year-old Parliament House...

Parliament House getting worn: Should a new one be built?

Maharashtra youth who joined ISIS returns, being quizzed

Maharashtra youth who joined ISIS returns, being quizzed
A youth from Maharashtra, who joined the terror group Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, Friday returned home to India and was being questioned by intelligence agencies....

Maharashtra youth who joined ISIS returns, being quizzed

No concrete proof of abducted Indians' fate, search on: Sushma

No concrete proof of abducted Indians' fate, search on: Sushma
Amid media reports that the 39 abducted Indian workers in Iraq have been killed by Islamic State militants, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj Friday...

No concrete proof of abducted Indians' fate, search on: Sushma

Jammu gunfight ends, 11 killed

Eleven people were killed in heavy firing between the security forces and infiltrators in Jammu and Kashmir which restarted Friday. The gunfight has...

Jammu gunfight ends, 11 killed

Navjot Singh Sidhu At The Centre Of Akali Dal-BJP Shadow Boxing

Navjot Singh Sidhu At The Centre Of Akali Dal-BJP Shadow Boxing
In the last couple of months, the "time-tested" ruling alliance of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is feeling the strain, forcing senior leaders from both sides to step in and claim that all is well.

Navjot Singh Sidhu At The Centre Of Akali Dal-BJP Shadow Boxing