These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Programme Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
Showing Complaints & Interventions Report for ALPHA ETC PUNJABI
Channel: ALPHA ETC PUNJABI
Date & time: Wednesday 3 and Friday 5 September: 7.00pm
Category: Other Taste & Decency
Complaint from: 1 viewer
Background
Alpha ETC Punjabi is a satellite TV station broadcasting news, current affairs, drama, films and general entertainment programmes in Punjabi and English.
Issue
One viewer complained that news programmes on 3 and 5 September included images of the burned bodies of two children. He thought these images were offensive, particularly in early evening bulletins (7pm).
Assessment
Tapes were requested of the transmissions from 3 and 5 September. However, Zee TV - the parent company of Alpha ETC Punjabi - replied that suitable recordings were not available, due to a technical error by the company which records all the company's off-air transmissions. They provided documentary evidence to support the assertion.
Conclusion
The complaint could not be pursued, because suitable tapes could not be provided. This is in breach of the station's licence obligations. The ITC warned Alpha ETC that any further inability to supply such tapes to the ITC would result in consideration of a statutory sanction. The ITC explained this position to the complainant.
|