Looking at the “obscene” content on TV, a Congress MP Jagdambika Pal recently suggested that reality shows on TV should be censored. Reportedly, Pal raised the issue after watching a few episodes of the reality series Bigg Boss that is currently on air.
While it’s okay for a politician to be concerned about the well-being of society, do we really need such moral policing or are we mature enough as an audience to digest it?
Youngsters in the capital think that a body must be constituted to look into the content that is aired on national channels. “But its interference should only be restricted to a minimum as too much meddling may take the spice out of shows,” avers Sarthak Harbola, a second year literature student. However, he thinks that if shows are rated as movies on the basis of age group and time slots are given according to them, it might help sort out matters.
But not many agree that audience discretion or creating time slots would be a long-term solution. Some feel that the audience must be mature enough to handle it. “Who says that a mature audience would like obscene content. If we have grown as an audience, we would like to see sensible stuff on TV, not someone making out,” remarks Abhishek Sinha, an MBA graduate, adding that there are a lot of shows on TV, including reality series that are dedicated to good content.
“These shows try to promote talent instead of showing obscene things just to boost TRPs,” adds Abhishek.
Surprisingly, many agree with Abhishek’s views. “In today’s day and age everybody has a TV set in their room. Even kids have their own TV for convenience. Besides, the repeats are on air at various hours and the episodes of such shows are also available on YouTube and the channel’s websites. Who has the time to keep a watch on kids? TV needs censorship that is the only solution. The manner in which indecent content that even includes a new married couple’s private moments (Sara and Ali’s wedding night on Bigg Boss) is being shown on TV, the day is not far when even explicit scenes will be available 24/7,” says Samantha Sehgal, a media professional.