The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on October 5 notified amendments in the Cable Television Networks Rules, thereby providing an operational mechanism for the implementation of decriminalised provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.
The Ministry had earlier issued a notification fixing October 3, 2023, as the date from which provisions of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act and entries in the schedule thereto with respect to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act would come into force.
The amendments are expected to encourage compliance with the Act without the government resorting to harsh punishments and being sensitive to minor or unintended contraventions. The inclusion of advisory, censure, and warnings, in the range of penalties suggested that the focus was on educating and encouraging compliance rather than solely punishing contraventions, said a government release.
