The Indian government has acted on as many as 144 violations of Programme and Advertising Codes by private television channels over the past five years, with measures ranging from warnings and advisories to off-air orders and cancellation of permission, the Lok Sabha was informed yesterday.

In a written reply to a set of questionnaire from a fellow parliamentarian, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan said the violations included content relating to obscenity, attacks on religions or communities, defamatory material, and promotion of communal attitudes, all of which are prohibited under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

Detailing enforcement action, the government said a total of 50 warnings, 35 advisories to channels and 54 orders directing apology scrolls were issued during the period. In addition, three off-air orders, one cancellation of permission and one order for disclaimer were also recorded, indicating the range of penalties invoked for non-compliance.

According to a statement put out by the government’s press info division, year-wise data presented in the House showed that the highest number of actions was taken in 2022 (52), followed by 2021 (43) and 2023 (37). The number of actions declined sharply thereafter to four in 2024 and eight in 2025. Advisories peaked in 2023 at 14, while apology scroll orders were highest in 2022 at 39.

Murugan said private satellite TV channels are required to adhere strictly to the Programme and Advertising Code, which prohibit content that is obscene, defamatory or offensive, as well as advertisements that are indecent, vulgar or suggestive. The government issues advisories from time to time to ensure compliance.

The Minister also outlined a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism for broadcast content, under which complaints are first handled by broadcasters, then by self-regulating bodies, and finally by an oversight mechanism of the central government.

Similar regulatory frameworks exist for print and digital media, including norms set by the Press Council of India and the IT Rules, 2021 for online publishers, he added.