The invasion of Satellite channels on Indian Territory poses a continuous danger to culture of the nation besides being concern for security and diplomatic aspects of the country. The social progress and national advancements can be thwarted if the technological onslaught is allowed to have its impact on the culture and values of the country. In this regard Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India has taken some initiatives to exercise control and render monitoring of potent tool of culture propagation by onslaught of television channels in the country.

    Historical Background for the Need of Monitoring.

             The need and necessity of content monitoring of Electronic Media was realized long time back at the outbreak of Second World War in 1939. As a result, a monitoring centre with was established but with the limited facilities in Shimla in 1940.

         Gradually the facilities at the centre were improved and got expanded to monitor broadcasts from 13 foreign stations. The monitoring centre was later on shifted to Delhi at its present location in Aya Nagar in 1981. With up graded facilities having 3 monitoring booths and 44 aerials subsequently facilities were recording, editing, storage and retrieval of data. The facility was further upgraded in the year 2002 by introduction of e-applications to address few aspects of the functioning by way of computerization of monitoring activities where the Local Area Network (LAN) with workstations together with the associated centralized server facility.

            Also earlier Central Monitoring Service (CMS) was entrusted with the task of monitoring of Radio and TV networks. Besides it was monitoring content broadcast by TV/Radio channels with reference to violations of Advertisement and Program Codes enshrined in Cable Television Networks Regulations Act, 1995 and Rules framed there under. After CMS was shifted from the administrative control of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, the establishment of a separate Electronic Media Monitoring Centre was visualized.

          Government of India, had decided to establish Electronic Media Monitoring Centre with the aim to have effective monitoring of content of various FM and TV channels beaming over Indian Territory for any violation of:

  1).Programme Code
  2).Advertisement Code
  3).Various provisions of Cable Television Networks Regulation Act
  4).Any other law relevant to the content of Satellite TV Channel.

          In addition, Government of India, through Ministry of I&B may chose to use the setup to get the public views on many issues of National and International importance. Such feedback system might help Government in taking decisions in public interest.

      The present setup is equipped with the facility for accessing, monitoring and recording of 100 satellite TV channels with capacity augmentation provision up to 300 channels. Recorded and live content of satellite TV channels are monitored round the clock by Monitors through work stations. The content clips are stored for a period of 90 days and are erased automatically thereafter. Subsequently the monitoring of FM channels shall also be done.

                The EMMC is currently performing the following functions:

          This centre also monitors the logged clips of Satellite TV Channels and report to the Ministry for any violation in the Programme Code and Advertisement Code and other provisions of Cable Television Networks Regulation Act 1995.

        EMMC identifies every week, the clips to be stored for archiving. Such clips along with text report, if any, shall be flagged and stored in the storage system and also in physical removable media such as DVD, BD (Blue-ray Disk). The flagged clips shall not be deleted till otherwise communicated by an Archiving Committee, constituted for this purpose.

         EMMC also identifies topical matters of immense public importance and generates daily report to the Ministry for evaluation and for taking any action, if necessary. On days when there is no coverage of such matters in the Electronic Media, EMMC shall send a NIL report.
EMMC also prepares and submits special reports to the Ministry on topics desired by the Government.

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    The Objectives of Electronic Media Monitoring Centre are as follows:

Monitoring of all TV channels down linked in India to check the violations of Programme and Advertisement Codes enshrined in Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995 and rules framed and subsequent amendments.
Monitoring of Private FM Radio Channels and,
Any other such work relating to monitoring of content of broadcasting sector as assigned by the government from time to time.
Monitoring of Radio and TV channels to check any violation in any act or of any law of the country.

              COMPLAINTS AGAINST ELECTRONIC MEDIA

Question1:-why do we need to file any complaint?
Answer1:- If you notice any violation of basic ethics or exaggeration by an electronic media, you as a responsible citizen of the country should raise an alarm.

Question2:-how can we lodge our complaint?
Answer2:- You can make complaints in person, by phone or post, or even through e-mail.the contact details,complaint form are also available on the Website

Question3:-If we wish to hide our identity while making complaints, is it permissible?
Answer3:- Yes, your name would remain confidential if you wish so.

Question4:-How will EMMC follow up the complaints?
Answer4:-The EMMC will verify the authenticity of the complaints and take it up to the level of Information & Broadcasting Ministry as and when required.

Question5:-How does EMMC inform us about action taken against any electronic media, according to our complaints?
Answer5:- Yes, it’s our policy to follow up each complaint, and reply to the person making the complaint as and when found necessary.


    HOW TO CONTROL VIOLATION?

Question1:- What are the types of violations?
Answer1:- The violations can take place in visuals, advertisements and content. For details, visit the code and conduct section of our website.

Question2:- What are the codes and standards that define violation?
Answer2:- Once the complaint is received, it’s scrutinized by analyzing the concerned clip of the content. The time taken to complete the process of scrutiny depends on the seriousness of the complaint.

Question3:- After the complaint has been lodged how long does it take to get registered and take a suitable action for it?
Answer3:- Once the complaint is received, it’s scrutinized by analyzing the concerned clip of the content. The time taken to complete the process of scrutiny depends on the seriousness of the complaint.

       EMMC FUNCTION

Question1:- How does EMMC work on our complaints?
Answer1:- Once the complaint is received, it’s scrutinized by analyzing the concerned clip of the content. The clips are sent to the concerned wing of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry which in turn double-checks the veracity of the complaints before notice is sent to the concerned

Question2:- How is EMMC constituted?
Answer2:- The EMMC is headed by a Director who is assisted by two Deputy Directors handling content and administration. There is a team of technicians headed by Chief Operating Officer (Technical) who in turn reports to Director. The TV channels are monitored by about 100 monitors who are supervised by content auditors.

Question3:- what is the mechanism to check violation in electronic media?

Answer3:- First, monitors scrutinize about 150 TV channels to verify whether their content including advertisements adhere to the codes of conduct under various Acts mainly Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act, 1995. Also, there is a scrutiny committee headed by the director and represented by officials from I&B Ministry, National Women’s Commission, National Human Rights Commission etc. which go through the finding of the monitors and prepare a report for further action by I&B Ministry.

                Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued detailed guidelines for constitution of Monitoring Committees for private TV Channels at State and District levels. All State Governments are required to set up these Committees to enforce the provisions of Cable TV Network (Regulation) Act, 1995. The District level Committee is headed by the DM. DM, SDM and Commissioner of Police are Authorized Officers to enforce the provisions of the act.

                Ministry has provided funds under 11th Plan Scheme to increase the capacity of EMMC to monitor more number of TV channels round the clock.

    Making a Complaint