The draft Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2023, proposes self-classification of programmes by broadcasters under the specified categories, keeping in view the context, theme, tone, impact and target audience of the content, with the relevant rating based on an assessment of the relevant content descriptors specified in the guidelines.
According to Section 21 of the draft Bill, the classification will have to be displayed prominently at the beginning of the programme, as provided in the guidelines.
“The broadcasting network operator shall endeavour to implement access control measures, in the prescribed form and manner, in relation to programmes which have been classified as being appropriate for restricted viewing under sub-section (1) of Section 21,” it says.
