New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) With a deluge of notices to TV channels for violating programme code, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni Wednesday said the electronic media needed to follow a self-regulatory mechanism.
“The self-regulatory system, to which the broadcasters are also giving importance, should be so effective that the ministry does not have to send notices again and again,” Soni told reporters here.

Soni was replying to a question about her ministry sending a show cause notice Monday to TV channel Colors, for the use of vulgar language in reality show Bigg Boss-3, hosted by film star Amitabh Bachchan.

The ministry sent the notice to Colors for “offending good taste” and asked to show cause for its actions within five days, failing which it will be taken off the air.

In an interaction with industry leaders last week, Soni had said 268 notices were served for violating programme code and emphasised the need for self-regulation by the media.

“We have issued about 268 such notices. We don’t want to do this, but can’t help it. I feel self regulation is possible by the media houses and they are doing it also.”

Ruling out censorship or content regulation, Soni had called for setting up an independent mechanism that will balance the freedom of expression and sensitivities of civil society.