Supreme Court: No need for new setup to regulate TV channels

New Delhi: The Supreme Court said on Thursday that there was no need for a fresh legal framework to regulate electronic media, and that the existing Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 can take care of regulating TV channels.

A bench comprising Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the Centre to widely publicise the “complaint redressal mechanism” given under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995, so that viewers can file complaints against any objectionable material broadcast by TV channels and radio stations.

The bench also granted four weeks time to the Union government  to come out with its views on the question of permitting private FM radio channels to broadcast news.