This article has been written by Ms. Indrakshi Chaku, an upcoming law student

Introduction

The era of televisions in India began in 1959 with the advent of Doordarshan, India’s primary and only television channel till 1975. The viewership of the channel gained prominence in 80’s when the colored televisions entered the Indian market. People relished watching mythological dramas, films and sports. However, use of television for entertainment purposes did not last for long. 90’s witnessed the use of television for promoting political propagandas and war coverage for the first time. From documenting gulf war to declaration of emergency, satellite televisions changed the face of entire television industry in India. Indian citizens were now exposed to international channels and for the first time, televisions became the controller and director of culture in the country. It is said that the culture is not the product of our mass media but the mass media in our society has heralded the arrival of mass culture and eventual cultural invasionn. Today, televisions touch the life of almost every individual. According to statistics an average Indian adult spends over three hours daily watching television. Since the dependence on television has become so high, it is imperative to study its impact on our lives.

Political impact

The censorship of media and television channels has been long debated in the history of media and entertainment jurisprudence, the central subject of debate being whether the state control over these channels promotes corruption. It is argued that the state control turns television into a political weapon used to influence masses. Examples of such control can be seen throughout the history of  broadcasting in India. B.V Keshar, India’s longest serving broadcasting minister, mandated a series of legislations in 1952 with the motive of curbing the promotion of “westernized” music in Indian films, to protect India’s culture from obscenity. During the emergency period, doordarshan was used by Indira Gandhi to promote her political ideologies. Even today, the cases of use of television channels for meeting political ends are rampant. The coverage of Ayodhya dispute by television channels like Republic and Aaj Takk heavily fed into the religious frenzy. The issue, being the central part of BJP’s election manifesto, was as such campaigned by television channels. While television channels have had certain negative political impacts, it won’t be fair to say that their contribution has only been negative. Televisions play a crucial role in educating people about their fundamental rights and responsibilities. Mass media (radios and televisions) is a very powerful tool to circulate information in developing nations like India where more than half of the population is illiterate. The use of graphics and sounds makes the content more comprehensible for these viewers, thus helping them to gain awareness. Television channels have also upheld the fundamental rights of citizens and help prevent their violation by the government and political organizations. In Harish Vasudevan vs Union Of India on 11 March, 2020, the reporting of factual and truthful incidents where citizens were criticizing public authorities, was held to be consistent with constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights. Furthermore, the recent coverage of the farmer’s protests by television channels generated a world-wide support for the issue which compelled the government to repeal the laws 

Cultural impact

Culture constitutes all that is material, symbolic, sentimental and social in nature. India is a diverse country with a rich culture. Due to its multi ethnic, multi religious and multi linguistic nature, it has been able to encompass a plethora of cultures within itself. The age of television broadened this already broad horizon of culture in India. It introduced the country to various global cultures and introduced the west to its culture. By introducing people to visual learning through audio and video, it ignited a culture of social and political awareness. Through famous TV dramas like Ramayana and Mahabharat, it has kept the Indian folklore and mythology alive. Broadcasting has also played a conspicuous role in globalization of India’s economy and exposed Indians to various globalized ideas. However, critics have argued that television has adulterated India’s eastern culture with profanities of western culture. It has introduced Indian citizens to a liberalized lifestyle which contradicts the conservatism of Indian society. From celebration of Halloween to adoption of bolder choices of clothing by women, television has been accused of causing perversion of country’s culture and traditional value system

Broadcasting regulations in India

The impact of television and the quantum of that impact in India is directly determined by the legislations and bodies governing the broadcasting industry. India’s broadcasting system is chiefly governed by two bodies, namely: The ministry of information and Broadcasting and The telecommunications regulatory authority of India. The ministry of Information is divided into three wings where the broadcasting wing  regulates the content of private satellite channels and network of multi system operators and local cable operators and the film wing looks into certification of films for public exhibition, import of films for theatrical and non-theatrical viewing, export of Indian films, import of unexposed cinematograph films and various types of equipment required by the film industry and all the other developmental and promotional matters relating to film industry. The ministry is further assisted in its tasks by 11 attached & subordinate offices, 5 autonomous organizations, 2 statutory bodies and 2 public sector undertakings. TRAI was established in 1997 with the mission to create and nurture conditions for growth of telecommunications in the country in a manner and at a pace which will enable India to play a leading role in emerging global information society. One of the main objectives of the body is to regulate competition in the broadcasting industry and regulate the private service providers.

Two main acts which govern the broadcasting industry in India are:

• The cable television networks regulation act, 1995- the case of Shiv Cable TV System v. State of Rajasthan first mentioned the importance of licensing for cable networks and thus highlighted the need for having a framework to regulate cable networks in India. This led to the enactment of the cable television networks regulation act, 1995. The Act aimed at regulating content and operation of cable networks. This was due to the availability of signals from foreign television networks via satellite communication. The access to foreign television networks was considered to be a “cultural invasion” as these channels portrayed western culture. It also wanted to lay down the “responsibilities and obligations in respect of the quality of service both technically as well content wise, use of materials protected under the copyright law, exhibition of uncertified films, and protection of subscribers from anti-national broadcasts from sources inimical to national interests.’’ The act was further amended many times, the following two being the most important amendments:

• 2003 Amendment: The main objective of the Amendment Act was to address to the frequent and arbitrary increase in cable charges. This was introduced section 4A which allowed operators to transmit pay channels through an addressable system apart from basic package of free-to-air channels.
• 2011 Amendment:  The Indian government implemented digitalization in cable networks on the basis of TRAI’s recommendations on the subject of “implementation of digital addressable cable systems in India” made on Aug 10 2010.
• Prasar Bharati (broadcasting corporation of India) Act, 1990: The Prasar Bharati Act provides for the establishment of a Broadcasting Corporation, to be known as Prasar Bharati, and define its composition, functions, and powers. The Act grants autonomy to All India Radio and to Doordarshan, both of which were previously under government control. The objective of the act was to publicize broadcasting and prevent it from being used to further political agendas. This objective was emboldened by the Supreme court of India in The Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting versus the Cricket Association of Bengal, 1995 where it held that “first facet of the broadcasting freedom is freedom from state or governmental control, in particular from the censorship by the government… Public broadcasting is not to be equated with state broadcasting. Both are distinct.’’

Conclusion

The history and impact of television has evolved manifold in India. The country has witnessed the progression of broadcasting from a state-controlled mechanism used for political propagandas, to a free and fair mechanism governed by legislative acts and autonomous statutory bodies. The exposure to western culture has aided in true globalization of cultures and exposed the country to a new world view. Although the “culture shock” has not been equally celebrated by every leader, the enactment of acts like prasarbharati have made it evident that cable television and exposure to international culture are here to stay. India still has a long way to go on the path of establishing a free and fair broadcasting network, however, the progression it has shown over the years has increased the faith of people in its ability to do so 

Refrence

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