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Nithya Subramanian

New Delhi , Nov. 28

AFTER ensuring that French fashion channel, Fashion TV (FTV), alters its programming to suit Indian sensibilities, the Government has trained its guns at rival channel, Trendz TV, asking it to stop airing objectionable content.

Sources in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) said, "One particular show called `Fashion Uncensored' does not adhere to the Programming Code prescribed in the Cable TV Act and hence a letter has been shot off to them."

This comes after music videos, adult films, adult film promos and fashion channels have all come under Government scanner.

The General Broadcasting Code, which is otherwise called Programme Code, prohibits criticism of friendly countries, attack on religions or communities, anything obscene or defamatory, incitement to violence or anything against maintenance of law and order, anything amounting to contempt of court, aspersions against the integrity of the President and Judiciary and anything affecting the integrity of the Nation, and criticism by name of any person.

Trendz channel was launched in May this year and is part of the Zee-Turner bouquet. When contacted, Mr Sunil Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of Zee Turner, denied receipt of any letter from the Government.

Trendz had started off as with 100 per cent foreign content being sourced from Video Fashion Network of the US. And over a period of time it has managed to add Indian content.

This is not the first time that the Government has cracked the whip against violation of Programming and Advertising Code. Earlier notices were issued to a show called Temptation Island on Star World and the former I&B Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj, had yanked off FTV.

Only after top officials from the channel assured the Government that it would abstain from objectionable content was the channel allowed to continue. A soft-porn Russian channel TB 6 was also banned.

The I&B Ministry is trying to ensure proper compliance of the Broadcasting Code and is planning to send letters to private satellite channels asking them to air movies, music videos and film promotions which have U certification from the Censor Board.

It has also asked Mr Anupam Kher, the newly appointed Chairman of the Censor Board to formulate a new set of norms.

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