Amendment in the Cinematograph Act, 1952
Recently the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has consulted with the film industry on the proposed amendments to the Motion Pictures Act.
Provision has been made in the Cinematograph Act, 1952 with respect to the certification for the screening of films and the regulation of films for public display.
Under this, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was formed. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It regulates the public exhibition of films.
Key provisions of the Cinematograph Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021:-
- The government has been empowered to direct the CBFC to reconsider the certification issued to a film.
- The U/A range is subdivided into U/A7+, U/A 13+, and U/A 16+. Section 6AA has been added to prevent piracy by invoking penal provisions.
Issues raised against this bill:
- The Central Government will have the right to cancel or withdraw the certification of those films which have already been cleared by the CBFC.
- This is against the recommendations of the Mudgal Committee on Film Certification (2013) and the Shyam Benegal Committee (2016).
- The film industry believes that some of its provisions stifle creativity by hindering free expression and discussion.
Suggestion:
- Self-regulation should be encouraged,
- State’s censoring power limit should be limited,
- For content related to objectionable content, the use of warnings before display should be extended, etc.
Source – The Hindu