Reality check for reality shows

Never mind the elections, the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry will be watching the reality shows on television channels like a hawk over the next fortnight.

The I&B minister of state Anand Sharma told DNA that he has taken “serious note” of the death of nine-year-old Chandan Singh who died while copying a stunt of a reality show recently. “It is a moral and legal responsibility on part of the television producers to show a warning that that these stunts should not be tried at home. It doesn’t matter whether it is a reality show or an entertainment programme. If there’s a dangerous stunt, they must adhere to the rule. We are concerned over reports that some people are not doing it,” says Sharma from New Delhi.

Though prime minister Manmohan Singh is holding the portfolio after minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi had a massive second heart attack, Sharma is spearheading the ministry that governs the media in the country. Dasmunshi is still recuperating in Apollo Hospital in New Delhi.

The minister hinted that his ministry is going to be a watchdog over reality shows and a “strict directive” is on the anvil for shows which are not adhering to the rules. “I will convene a meeting with my officers very soon on this. We will have to assess the situation. I will issue a strict directive to all (producers) who are not adhering by the law.”

Though the ministry has the power to yank any show off the air for not adhering to guidelines, it doesn’t plan anything like that as of now.