Sorry Kids! Govt tells Channels to Telecast Condom Ads only between 10 pm- 6 am

Sorry Kids! Govt tells Channels to Telecast Condom Ads only between 10 pm- 6 am

Mangaluru: Now the couples or adults can watch Condom ads on television only after kids go to bed at night, since the government citing avoiding exposure to children, as one of the reasons, on Monday, 11 December ordered that no condom ads will be aired between 6 in the morning to 10 at night on television anymore. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to all television channels, restricting broadcast of ads for condoms for the eight hours from 10 pm to 6 am, stating that it had received multiple complaints regarding them.

The ministry in its order said that, it has been brought to its notice “that some channels carry advertisements of condoms repeatedly which are alleged to be indecent especially for children”. Citing two provisions of the Advertising Code of the Cable Television Network Rules of 1994, the ministry raised concerns regarding the condom ads. It mentioned that the Advertising Code bars any advertisement “which endangers the safety of children or create in them any interest in unhealthy practices or shows them begging or in an undignified or indecent manner”.

Also, the code does not allow “indecent, vulgar, suggestive, repulsive or offensive themes or treatment” in ads. The government has also threatened to take action against channels not complying with its directive. The order comes after the ministry received several complaints that some channels “repeatedly” showed condom advertisements which were “indecent” for children. “Any failure will attract action as per provisions of the rules,” the ministry said.

Durex has become a popular Condom brand in India after Ranveer Singh began endorsing it. Even Ranveer confirmed the news saying, ‘Durex is launching Jeans! Designed for the passionate! Fits well’. People mistook that Durex might be launching it’s own Jeans brand into the Indian market. But, They realized that it’s actually a clever prank only after watching the new commercial. ‘Durex Jeans’ is just the new version of Condoms. Social Media began lauding marketing strategy of Durex. This prank brought a smile on millions of faces apart from drawing their attention and creating awareness about the usage of Condoms. After all, the viral ad was all about condoms, and not Jeans?

In perspective, what the government doesn’t know is that the present kids are much smarter and know more about sex or condoms, than the kids decades ago. How far this rule will help in preventing children watching such ads is something to be addressed- because many children are still awake until late night either browsing through Internet, playing Internet/Nintendo games or watching late night movies. Oh well- it seems like some law (something) is better than nothing?