Sufficient regulatory mechanisms for TV content: Minister

There are sufficient regulatory mechanisms at various level to check the content on TV channels and those violating the norms can face "severe punishment", Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said in Lok Sabha Friday.

Responding to a private member's 'Television Broadcasting Companies (Regulation) Bill, the minister also said market forces and viewers' choice decide on the success of any channel.

He said if a channel shuts down, competent people can get a job in other places. He also said the Companies Act has various provisions to deal with issues like welfare of employees.

The minister noted that bad financial management and poor content can be reasons behind some channels shutting shop.

"Out of 800 channels, some will survive and some will be closed down," Rathore said.

He also said that, besides Doordarshan, several channels are now showing 'positive news'.

Accountibility on content, Rathore said, is ensured as there are regulatory machanisms at various levels, including self-regulatory bodies and an inter-ministerial committee.

He said there are provisions of "severe punishment" including withdrawl of licence.

BJP's Prahlad Singh Patel, who had earlier moved the bill, agreed to withdraw it.