Commodification of women and their derogatory portrayal in the media – be it films, television, advertisements, cable or cyber network, electronic or print media – are growing into Frankenstein proportions that the Delhi police have decided to sit up and take notice.
On the eve of International Women's Day on Tuesday, the custodians of law organised an interaction on `Obscenity in Media: Impact on Crime' here. All speakers agreed that there should be "self-regulation'' in the media against obscenity and violence and stricter implementation of the law. At the same time, use of force and censorship in a democracy could lead to "Talibanisation,'' they felt.
The panelists, including the Police Commissioner, K.K. Paul; social activist and Vice-President of the All-India Democratic Women's Association, Brinda Karat; the Chairperson of the Central Board for Film Certification, Sharmila Tagore; mediapersons Mrinal Pande, Arindam Sen Gupta; and the former Director-General of the Border Security Force, Prakash Singh, were unanimous in their appeal for strong social intervention and public pressure. The role of the police should be to facilitate such interventions.
Initiating the debate, Ms. Tagore felt the ideal solution would be self-governance by the media but wondered whether the media was ready for it. "Obscene posters is a case in point. Often we find that scenes from films that have been censored are used as posters and scenes deleted from films find way in print media. Other than complaining to the police nothing can be done because obscene posters are not covered under the Act.'' The CBFC had asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to tighten laws in this respect.
"Likewise, the television has no censorship code. Cable operators do not follow guidelines and often show films meant for adult audiences. Music albums with item numbers are another area of concern with no authority to impose the punitive Acts. Standards are being lowered in the name of being demand/market-driven, TRP ratings and in the quest for profit.''
While there could be different perceptions of what could be defined as obscene, according to Ms. Tagore, "whatever one cannot see with one's family is obscene''.
"Devalued status of women"
"The portrayal of women in media is closely linked to the devalued status of women in society and her subordinate role to the male,'' said Ms. Brinda Karat.
She said social interventions in crime against women were being eroded. It was a matter of concern that public response was not there and assurances were not forthcoming from the police for those who spoke up against such attitudes.
She called for an overhaul of attitudes in the media as well, with the advice: "Cut down on profit; that would profit the society much more.''
