Censor certificate: I&B upset with TV channels

At least 382 movies were telecast by 38 different channels without displaying  the mandatory Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)–the censor board certificate—in the month of January 2012 alone.

This has upset the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry which has now asked the Indian Broadcasting Federation (IBF) to ensure that all channels display the censor certificates while telecasting films and ensure that rules are followed.

According to the official sources, the Electronic Media Monitoring Cell (EMMC) of the ministry had in a report pointed out the non-display of these mandatory certificates by TV channels in no less than 382 occasions.

“The screening of the CBFC certificate is mandatory under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and this has been repeatedly clarified in meetings with the broadcasters,” a senior official said.
“The Programme code of the Cable TV Networks Act, which regulates the content of private channels, also lays down that no programme shall be carried in the cable service that contravenes the provisions of Cinematograph Act 1952,” the official added.

Officials said that the ministry had reasons to be annoyed that despite the fact that not displaying the CBFC certificate constituted a violation of both the Cinematograph and the Cable TV Acts, the practice had become widespread.

Sources said that not just the private players, but even the national broadcaster Doordarshan in January this year had telecast a movie without displaying the CBFC certificate.