Delhi HC rejects TV Today Network’s plea against MIB order to run apology scrolls for displaying liquor brand advertisements on its channels

Recently, the Delhi High Court rejected a plea filed by TV Today Network against the order of the Central Government asking the media network to run apology scrolls for displaying liquor brand advertisements on its news channels. The TV Today network runs news channels such as India Today and Aaj Tak. While hearing the matter, Justice Subramonium Prasad of Delhi HC rejected the plea observing that TV Today violated Rule 7 of the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994. He illustrated that while advertising 100 Pipers Music CDs, TV Today displayed the ‘100 Pipers’ logo. Further, the Court observed, “The display of the logo of ‘100 Pipers’ would thus appear to be in contravention of that Rule. Since the provisions of Rule 7 have not been complied with, the contention of the learned Counsel for the Petitioner that they had proceeded in good faith on the basis of the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) certificate which was submitted by the advertiser cannot be accepted as the rules do not permit the broadcaster to independently ascertain the veracity of the clip that is provided by the advertiser.”

Concerning the issue of running the ‘All Seasons Club Soda’ advertisement, the HC determined that the same was not even certified by the CBFC. The matter was presented before the HC by TV Today challenging the order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) delivered on June 14, 2022. The MIB’s order was to run an apology scroll for 3 consecutive days between 9 AM and 9 PM in bold and legible font at the bottom of the screen 4 times a day for broadcasting the advertisements of All Seasons Club Soda and 100 Pipers Music CDs on its news channel. After hearing further arguments, the single-judge bench ordered, “In view of the above, this Court is not inclined to interfere with the Orders dated 14.06.2022, passed by the Competent Authority, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB).”