The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has finally amended the All India Radio Code allowing political advertisements on radio stations including FMs that adhere to the AIR code.
‘However, those advertisements will have to pass thorough a pre-broadcast scrutiny by the Election Commission of India, especially during the period when model code of conduct is in operation,’ the ministry said in a press statement.
Earlier, a recommendation was made by the ministry to the Election Commission seeking consent on the broadcast of political campaign on radio. The EC had banned such ads four years ago both in radio and television citing Air Code and the Cable TV Networks Act.
The decision was later challenged by TV channels in the Supreme Court and got a green signal; though, radio remained under the provision.
The Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and the Code for Commercial Broadcasting, All India Radio states, “No advertisement shall be permitted, the objects whereof, are wholly or mainly of a religious or political nature; advertisements must not be directed towards any religious or political end.”
However, the revised norms reads as: "Advertisements in the form of spots and jingles on payment of prescribed fees, from Political parties or Candidates or any other person shall be accepted only in respect of General Elections to Lok Sabha or General Elections to the State Assemblies or General Elections to Local bodies during the period when the model Code of Conduct is in force.”
|
|
Comments:
