What do these TV Actors have to say about 'Censorship for Television?'

The other morning, we woke up to news that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was looking at a Regulatory Board for the television industry to monitor its content. CBFC Chief Pahlaj Nihalani, was also quoted as saying that the liberty of self-censorship that was given to the television industry had crossed all boundaries of decency.

We asked a few industry insiders as to what they felt about this censorship issue.

Aman Verma

I do not believe in the Censor Board at all, even if it is for the film industry. Who elects the board? Who sets the rules and regulations as to what an individual should watch or not watch? There should not be a Censor Board for television. For me, this does not make any sense at all.

Hiten Tejwani

A regulatory board is welcome, but it should censor or allow things to be shown on TV as per what people are ready to watch or want to watch..censorship is good, but everything should be considered keeping in mind audience's point of view. Of course if you have adult content or violence or any such thing, then there should be a warning and it should be allowed.

Ronit Roy

There are already a lot of things in place for the content on TV to be monitored. For instance, one can not show cigarettes or whisky on television today. I am honestly not aware of the content on television nowadays. Every type of news is available in newspapers and also broadcasted in the news. So, will you stop that as well? But there is this saying - Life imitates Art and Art imitates Life.

As for the Censor Board, let the board form and an agenda be set. Once the rules and regulations, do's and dont's are written down in black and white and on paper, then only can one discuss the further plan of action.

Rajan Shahi

All the major GEC channels have a strong and respective SNP, which keeps track of our episodes. Before going on air, all the episodes get monitored by them. Every channel has a respective disciplinary board, which looks into each and every episode and if they find something wrong, they cut those portions. The people heading over Bollywood are not clear in what kind of films are correct. How are they planning to work it in TV?

Vikas Gupta

Television already is running with the guidelines of SNP, and every channel has a legal counsel to see that it is followed. Censorship will have rules, but as long as they are justified and logical.

If you would ask us, as a part of the industry, we would not want a censor board for the television industry. According to us, the industry is in its limits and is adhering to the rules of the self-censorship format.