Govt seeks clarification from AXN

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has sought a clarification from AXN channel on the notice issued on January 6 for airing an advertisement of a product 'Yoko Height Increase Device' and another programme titled 'Men's World' and 'World's Sexiest Advertisements' which offended good taste, decency and denigrated women.

The ministry has decided to block the signals of the Channel till March 15, 2007.

The inter-ministerial committee formed to look into the matters of violations of programme/advertising code has advised the channel to be more careful in choice of language, treatment of women and treatment of the subject in the programme and the audio visual presentation to ensure strict conformity with the programme code.

The channel was given a personal hearing on November 30 and later it submitted its arguments in writing on December 6.

"The channel in its contention took the plea that the merits of 'World's Sexist Advertisements' showcases some of the best advertisements around the world and it was a study of the brilliance behind the creative properties through witty and humorous copy lines and execution. The channel further submitted that the programme had been taken off air upon its first notification from the ministry and its license was terminated soon after. The channel also sought apology if this programme had offended the sensibilities of Indian viewers," the ministry said.

The ministry citied 6.1 para of the Cable Television Networks( Regulations) Act, 1995 which grants power to the central government to revoke the permission granted for downlinking content of any objectionable and unauthorised content.

"The satellite channel 'AXN' is reportedly telecasting programmes that are against the taste and decency, likely to adversely affect public morality, are not suitable for unrestricted public exhibition and not in public interest...As per application for downlinking AXN channel in India, Set India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai is the exclusive distributor of this channel in India. A compliance report has to be sent to this ministry by January 22," the order said.

The ministry clarified that AXN is not the only channel, which has been banned. During the Kargil war telecast of PTV was banned. Some soft pornographic channels have also been banned earlier.

Sushma Swaraj, as Minister of Information and Broadcasting had issued a warning note to FTV to either fix their content for the Indian audience or face a ban. The channel fell in line and redesigned its content.