Thursday, August 25 2005 16:03 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government is considering a legislation to regulate broadcasters and prevent obscenity and violence from being shown on TV channels.

"Although the channels up linking from India are by and large adhering to the code and conduct of broadcasting but we require a Broadcasting Regulatory Authority to see that entertainment programmes of foreign channels also adhere to the code and conduct," Minister of State for Ocean Development Kapil Sibal said during Question Hour.

Sibal, who were officiating for, I & B Minister S Jaipal Reddy said Government was also planning to announce down linking guidelines to stop obscenity on TV programmes.

Replying to another question on number of companies seeking permission to uplink their TV channels from India, Sibal informed the House that 24 proposals including that of New Delhi Television Ltd. TV Today, Times Global Broadcasting Co Ltd and Jain TV, were pending with government at various stages of scrutiny.

"Foreign Companies are not eligible to uplink a TV channel from India. However, the foreign companies/TV channels are considered for temporary up linking from time to time on a case to case basis," he said.

"Foreign companies who are up linking their TV channels from abroad and downlinking and telecasting in India are proposed to be covered under the Down linking Guidelines, which are under active consideration of the Government," he added.