Better late than never, finally, the concerns over young children copying dance moves of adults in dance reality shows will be addressed.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory to private satellite television channels asking them to avoid indecent, suggestive and inappropriate representation of children in dance reality shows or other such programmes.
The advisory follows the ministry’s observation that in several dance-based reality TV shows, young children can be seen copying dance moves of adults in movies and other popular modes of entertainment.
“These moves are often suggestive and age-inappropriate. Such acts may also have a distressing effect on children, impacting them at a young and impressionable age," a statement from the ministry said.
The channels have been further advised to exercise maximum restraint, sensitivity and caution while showing such reality shows and programmes.
Private satellite TV channels are expected to abide by the provisions contained in the Programme & Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and rules framed, the statement added. As per the same, no programme which denigrates children should be aired on TV. Further, programmes meant for children should not contain any bad language or explicit scenes of violence.
The new directive brings popular dance reality shows like Super Dancer, Dance India Dance under scanner. The report also suggests that even shows like Little Masters, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs and others come under scanner.
There is a growing concern amongst parents for some time about the way some dance programmes and kid reality shows had children performing on ‘item’ numbers done by adults copying the same movie. Experts say that such practice give a wrong impression in the minds of the innocent children who unnecessarily and wrongly act much above their age.
I&B Ministry had made a good move and we are hopeful that the move will bring in good results.
