Channels asked to run apology scroll for airing violent content
The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) has asked TV channels Big Rtl Thrill and Zee TV to run apology scrolls on February 9. According to sources, the council received a complaint against Qubool Hai(which is aired on Zee TV) for showing excessive violence against women. In one episode, it was shown that a woman was being suffocated by her in-laws with a plastic bag. It was also shown that they were forcibly trying to take her thumb impression on some papers. At the hearing, the channel said that they were only trying to create some drama and show how the male protagonist was trying to save the actress
Later, the channel agreed to air the apology, but maintained that it was in no way trying to glorify domestic violence against women. The council, chaired by Justice Mukul Mudgal, asked the channel to show some restraint while depicting such acts on television and also asked them to run an apology scroll on February 9, between 9:30pm and 10pm (the time slot of the show). Interestingly, this is not the first time that Qubool Hai has been rapped by the TV ombudsman. In 2013 too, the channel was asked to run an apology scroll for showing excessive violence against women in the show. Zee TV reps remained unavailable for comment, but sources from the channel confirmed that they would be complying with the order.
In another case, the council called Big Rtl Thrill for a hearing after receiving a complaint from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The complaint was that the show Fear Factor, which used to air on the channel, showed contestants tearing raw animal meat without carrying a disclaimer or a warning cautioning viewers, in episodes aired in September.
In its defence, the channel said that it did not run the full episode and that it was aired by mistake. The council has asked the channel to run an apology scroll every fourth hour for five days, from 12noon on February 9 till 8am on February 14. The channel also submitted a written apology, stating that it will not run Fear Factor, Baywatch and Distraction.