New Delhi:
Noting that several television programmes were exploiting animals, birds and insects for the sake of entertainment, the Broadcasting Complaints Content Council (BCCC) has asked the channels not to air such content that was creating wrong impression among the viewers.
In an advisory issued today the BCCC, which is the self-regulatory body for non-news channels headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice AP Shah, said that many entertainment channels especially those airing reality shows, were exhibiting content extremely harmful to animals.
"For instance, live insects are eaten to show courage in a manner that is distasteful and not conducive to health. A few channels have a reality show in which animals are killed week after week and animal parts such as sheep eyeballs and worms eaten in order to show bravery," the BCCC said.
The BCCC said that it was disturbing that "some channels rope in popular movie stars in serials in which animals are depicted, and project their being stalked, teased, tails being pulled at, food being pulled away, etc, i.e. veritable torture of animals as an act of bravery."
Not only are animals hurt and killed before, during and post filming, in many cases animals, especially reptilian and wild mammalian, are depicted as cruel and fearful, when in fact they are placed in unnatural environments, and their natural behaviour is repressed, the BCCC advisory said.
It added that such incorrect depiction led to wrong impressions being created and unfortunate myths spread. "Animals must not continue to be exploited for human entertainment especially when we live in an enlightened age that recognises the value of all species in a universal ecosystem," the BCCC advisory which was prepared in consultation with MP Maneka Gandhi said.
Stating that such content was not suitable for public viewing, the BCCC advised TV channels not to produce, purchase or broadcast content that is in any way harmful to the health and well-being, or depiction, of any species.