FM radio channels in the country will now have to think a hundred times before playing songs or other material promoting drugs. The central government has warned radio channels against playing songs that promote anti-social activities including alcohol, drugs, and gun culture. This came just two weeks after Punjab banned the broadcast of such songs.

Prohibition of drug-promoting content

In an advisory issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, FM radio stations have been given strict instructions to strictly comply with the terms set out in the Grant Of Permission Agreement (GOPA) and the Migration grant of permission Agreement (MGOPA). Also, there are instructions not to broadcast any material that violates the rules.

Punitive action instructions

The advisory states that any violation will attract penal action as per the terms and conditions laid down in GOPA/MGOPA. It may be mentioned that some such cases have come to the notice of the Ministry, in which songs or broadcast material glorifying liquor, drugs, weapons, gangsters and gun culture were played by some FM radio channels. Whose central government has issued this advisory?

Children’s mentality is affected

At the same time, in another case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had taken judicial note that material promoting alcohol, drugs and gun culture badly affects children. Due to this their mental state is also affected. It is also being informed that such material violates the All India Radio Program Code and the Center has the right to impose sanctions up to suspension of permission and prohibition of transmission.