New Indian Content Guidelines Announced

Key stakeholders in the Indian broadcasting industry have announced new content guidelines for implementation by all TV channels in the India market.  The guidelines produced by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) aim at producing a system of self-regulation for the Indian television industry, but – by agreement with the Indian government – they are also expected to be given legal force soon.  (News channels are already subject to a separate self-regulation agreement.)   Among other provisions, the new guidelines specify standards for classification of programs and “watershed hours” between 11 pm and 5 am, which are the only times when “restricted” content (not suitable for children) may be shown.

The text of the content guidelines can be found here.