The ministry said it had been receiving “an increasing number of petitions” from viewers regarding “malpractices by cable operators and undesirable content being shown at the local level by the cable operators”.

Hence, the local committee would monitor that local news, if aired by the cable operator, is restricted to information about local events and is presented in a manner which is balanced, impartial and not likely to offend or incite any community.

The order specified the constitution of the state-level committee, which would be headed by the state’s information & public relations secretary. The members would include a representative of the state police chief (DGP), social welfare secretary, women & child development secretary, a representative of a leading NGO working for women (to be nominated by chief secretary), and one each of academicians, psychologists and sociologists (to be nominated by chief secretary). State’s director (information) would act as the committee’s member-secretary.

A complaint cell, headed by a nodal officer at district level, would be established. The constitution of the monitoring committee and the procedures followed by it would be widely publicized, including putting it on state’s official website.

“In case the complaint concerns content carried locally by cable TV network at its own level, the committee may call for footage/VCD of the programme/advertisement against which complaint is considered and the common pool of wisdom available within the committee may form a view about whether a violation has taken place. In case the committee is of the view that violation has taken place, the authorized officer may take action as per the Act,” the order said.

“In case the complaint pertains to national/regional satellite channels, the committee may forward its recommendations through the state-level monitoring committee to the Government of India for dealing with the issue,” it said.

The state committee will see if district committees have been formed and are meeting regularly. It would also give suggestion/guidance to district committee, and decide on matters referred to it by the district committee. The state panel would also recommend action and forward complaints against satellite channels (national channels) to I&B ministry through the chief secretary in cases of violation of Union government’s orders on the programme and advertising Codes.

No state except Jammu and Kashmir has reported the constitution of state level committees so far.