Policies/Regulation | Censorship – The Arts

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said her government will soon appoint a nodal officer in each district to check, along with the police, whether any TV programme can upset communal harmony. Speaking at a cable operators’ function, which saw representation from broadcasters and multi-system operators (MSO), the chief minister said programmes portraying communal tension or violence can be extremely harmful.

“While I request the broadcasters to refrain from broadcasting such programmes, I also feel the necessity of appointing a nodal officer in every district, who will maintain a liaison with police and cable operators,” Mamata said. During the communal flare-ups in Basirhat and Baduria in North 24 Parganas district in July last year and Asansol and Raniganj earlier this month, the state government ordered local cable channels to suspend broadcasting news programmes to contain what it alleged was rumours and allegations that stoked passions in communities.