Reality check! Post Anu Malik's ouster from Indian Idol 6, here's looking at the code of conduct for judges

For the first time in the history of Indian television, a reality show judge, Anu Malik, had to step down because of allegations of sexual harassment against him. Among the women who accused him was a former Indian Idol contestant, and an ex-employee of the company producing Season 5 of the show, who said that she witnessed his misbehaviour on two accounts. 

She also claimed that producers knew about it, but chose to turn a blind eye. In light of this, we spoke to channels and production houses to find out if there is a code of conduct for judges in place and whether new guidelines are being chalked out in the wake of the #MeToo Movement.  

Zee TV’s Business Head Aparna Bhosle says that they have not received any formal request for new guidelines, but they strictly abide by IBF’s (Indian Broadcasters Federation) guidelines applicable for reality shows.

“All our partners, including the production house are cognisant of these guidelines and ensure these are followed stringently. In case a new guideline comes into force in the wake of these unfortunate developments, we will definitely welcome the move and implement the same to ensure that the sets of our reality shows are an even safer environment for all associated with it,” she adds.

As for having a code of conduct for judges, Bhosle says that every contract the artistes enter includes a clause under the Obligations of Artistes section, which outlines that the artiste shall not under any circumstances use abusive language, obscene gestures, language containing double meaning or sexual overtones or ask any questions or make statements concerning the religion, caste, creed or sex of the participants. “It also says that the artiste shall handle the participants with care and kindness and shall not do anything that would cause emotional or physical injury to the participants in any manner,” she explains.

While a company spokesperson from Viacom 18 (of which Colors is a part) states that they are compliant with the Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2013 and have set up an internal committee in accordance with the rules of the Act, they weren’t forthcoming about any guidelines or code of conduct. 

We emailed our queries to Sony and Star Plus, but they chose to not respond. Singer Neeti Mohan, who started out as a contestant and has judged shows like Voice India Kids says that she always found the environment safe.  "I have been part of shows where the channel and the production house have taken care of the contestants. In fact, from the production house, there are guys and girls staying with the contestants and ensuring that a strict guideline for kids is followed."    

UNEXPECTED TWIST

Among the production houses we spoke to, Abhishek Rege, CEO, Endemol, that produces shows like Bigg Boss said that they do not have any guidelines for the judges and the anchor. “A scenario like this has never occurred, it is unprecedented. Now everybody including producers, broadcasters are looking into it. The jury and the anchors are signed by broadcasters and they fall in a neutral area because they are signed only for a certain project. But now, the broadcasters and Producers Guild are trying to formulate on how to react to these things, what kind of action can be taken. I guess now rules will be made.” Even Hemant Ruparel, founder of Frames Production, which produces shows like Super Dancer, reiterates that this is the first time something like this has happened. “Producers, broadcasters, everybody is trying to understand what went wrong — it has been a learning. Reality shows have been around for more than two decades and this is a one-off incident. Honestly, when there is any interaction between contestants and judges somebody from the creative team is always there. There are contestant managers always with the participants. On the sets there are 200-300 people and we are careful. Now, as producers, we have to see how the contestants can be informed and trained that they can complain if something like this happens even after the show is over. That is something we need to focus upon.”    

PRODUCERS GUILD, BROADCASTERS FORMULATING GUIDELINES

In fact, Amit Behl, Senior Joint secretary, Cine And TV Artistes Association reveals that world over reality shows did not have a code of conduct. “But after the #MeToo movement, most countries have started implementing it. There has to be a code of conduct and guidelines recognising sexual harassment, especially, because contestants come from small towns. However, reality shows don’t come under the purview of CINTAA. Now, we are formulating our code of conduct for the industry, which we can give to the prodcution house. Whether they implemet it or not is upto them. The first meeting about how to go about it has already been organised,” he explains.   

Looks like the channels and producers have been caught on the back foot and have no clarity on the way forward. Hopefully, the Producers Guild and the Broadcasters Federation will come up with guidelines that will ensure a safer environment for everyone working in a show.