NEW DELHI, India – Adult movies, music videos and advertisements will soon be available to late-night television viewers across India. Due to a proliferation of adult movies that have appeared in Indian markets in recent months, the federal government has decided to bring about new legislation permitting adult content to be broadcast on late-night television.Until now, millions of porn enthusiasts in India rented out pirated Western pornographic videos, but this will most likely change when the government allows adult content to be broadcast on television.
The federal government announced an autonomous content regulator to oversee the scheduling of adult films, music videos and set advertisement standards.
According to S. Jaipal Reddy, India’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, the government is working on drafting the legislation to have an independent regulating body tackle issues of adult content on television.
“There was a broad agreement on the need for a truly autonomous regulatory body to receive and dispose of grievances and complaints about content,” Reddy said.
The minister urged cable networks and TV stations to exercise judgement in broadcasting inappropriate content. “They should go for greater self-regulation; it is most desirable,” Reddy added.
The land of Kama Sutra is not only one of the biggest consumers of porn, but is also making headway in producing and selling it own version of porn – content of unsuspecting lovers and/or couples.
In December 2004, a two and a half minute clip of a schoolgirl engaged in oral sex with a classmate made its way onto mobile phones and was distributed around the world. Other clips of unsuspecting couples shot by voyeurs began to make their appearance.
At India’s Shimala tourist resort, hotel staff videotaped a honeymoon couple on their wedding night. The content was sold for a hefty premium in Gulf countries, where amateur Indian films are highly in demand.
Two more clips were released across India earlier this month: one of an unsuspecting housewife having sex with her lover, the other clip was of a teenage girl having sex with a young boy.
A pirated CD featuring amateur Indian content can sell for up to $20 in Gulf countries. Movies of amateur couples sell for a higher price than movies with professional actors or models.
India’s cyber laws are clearly lagging behind the times. There have been almost no convictions under the Information Technology Act so far, and criminals feel safe knowing they can make and distribute these movies, with relative legal impunity.
India’s federal government has commissioned a panel to review the Information Technology Act of 2000 and to determine suitable legislation for the protection of data and privacy.
