Condom Ads ban: MIB clarifies that restrictions only on explicit ads

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s recent slash on air time of condom ads restricted only to watershed hours had created a big fuss in the industry, following to which, the ministry had clarified that such ads can be played during daytime.

Earlier this month, the Ministry had advised to air the condom ads with explicit content from only 10pm to 6am in order to prevent the provocative content to be seen by children. But in a revised statement of clarification in a release later this month, the ministry quoted that, “advertisements that do not sexually objectify women and are aimed at informing the citizens regarding devices/ products/ medical intervention to ensure safe sex are not covered under the said advisory.”

The objection was made as the ministry had taken a note of the condom ads “targeted at a particular age group” and were considered as “indecent especially for children”. The Rule 7(7) and Rule 7(8) of The Cable TV Networks Rules, 1994 was used to tell broadcasters from refraining from showing inappropriate ads that might be viewed by children.

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) had also welcomed the step taken by MIB as they had approached them for guidance after receiving several complaints regarding the inappropriate content of the condom ads being telecasted during the primetime.

However, the relaxation was given to the issue when Rajasthan High Court issued a notice challenging the ministry’s advisory to the broadcasters on telecasting the condom ads during prime time, stating that condom ads do not violate Rule 7of the Cable TV Network Rules, 1994 endangering the safety of children or creating and unhealthy practices or interest.