MIB granted 258 new TV channel licences, revoked 102 between FY15-19

The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has granted 258 new TV channel licences in the last five financial years between FY 2014-15 till FY 2018-19. The ministry has also withdrawn 102 licences in the last five years.

As per the information provided by I&B minister Prakash Javadekar in the Lok Sabha, the ministry granted most TV channel licences in FY 2014-15. The ministry approved 74 TV channel licences during the fiscal.

In FY 2018-19, 57 new licences were followed while in the preceding fiscal the number of new licences stood at 34. The number was 53 in FY 2016-17. 40 licences were granted in FY 2014-15, which is also the first year of BJP-led NDA government.

Javadekar also noted that there is no provision of conducting raids on TV channels in the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking / Downlinking of Private Satellite TV Channels, 2011. He also said that 102 licences have been withdrawn in the last five years.

“However, permission granted to TV channels are cancelled for violating the said guidelines. During the last five years, permission has been cancelled in respect of 102 cases,” he added.

The I&B minister also informed that the ministry issues Show Cause Notices (SCN) to the TV channels as and when violations/contraventions of the Uplinking / Downlinking Guidelines (2011) come to notice. “During the current year, show cause notices have been issued in 14 cases,” he stated.

In response to another question about violence portrayed in films and television, Javadekar stated that all content telecast on private satellite TV channels is regulated as per Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder. Appropriate action is taken as per the rules whenever a violation of the said Codes is established.

He also said that the government has issued advisories and warnings to private TV Channels and directed them to run Apology Scroll in the case where violation of the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 were found including in respect of programmes portraying violence in TV.

“During the last 5 years, such action has been taken in 121 cases,” he informed.

As far as Films are concerned, Javadekar noted that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certifies films for public exhibition in accordance with Cinematograph Act, 1952, Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and the guidelines issued thereunder.