With complaints against cartoon programmes soaring, the self-regulatory body for the entertainment channels has asked the channels to exercise caution and monitor objectionable content in them.
The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC), led by Justice A P Shah (retd), said that it has received several complaints about objectionable content, visuals, theme, animation and use of inappropriate language in some programmes aired on children’s and cartoon channels.
These also include foreign cartoon shows and their translated versions.
Even film clips classified as UA, including those of horror and action films, are being screened on the channels meant for children. As the BCCC debated the matter with the broadcasters, they said that as there is no separate classification of channels as those meant exclusively for children, there can be no additional restraint on the telecast of content, even if it is meant largely for the adult viewers.
However, as some channels consider children to be their principal target viewers, children watch these channels and the unsuspecting parents allow them easy access to programmes aired on such channels.
The BCCC said that it has advised all Indian Broadcasters Federation member channels, particularly children’s and cartoon channels, to be more cautious in the selection of the content shown, considering the impressionable minds of their target viewers.