I&B bans two underwear commercials

Six days after the new content code was released, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has banned the transmission or re-transmission of the advertisements of 'Lux Cozy Underwear' and 'Amul Macho Underwear' finding it indecent, vulgar and suggestive.

However, the two ads in question were cleared by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the self-regulatory body of the advertising industry.

The I&B ministry has directed all television channels to be more careful in future in selection of content of advertisements and to strictly adhere to the advertisement code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Rules framed thereunder.

The advertisements of 'Lux Cozy Underwear' and 'Amul Macho Underwear', which are being telecast on several television channels, have been considered indecent, vulgar and suggestive and thus violative of Rule 7 (8) of the Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Act, an official statement released by the I&B ministry said.

It should be noted that the new content code for the broadcasters has not come into effect as its under discussion between the stakeholders like the broadcasters and content creators.