The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council, BCCC has asked TV channels not to air content that shows exploitation of animals, birds and insects for the sake of entertainment. It said that this is creating wrong impression among the viewers.

In an advisory issued today, the BCCC, a self- regulatory body for Non-News Channels, said that many entertainment channels especially those airing reality shows, were exhibiting content extremely harmful to animals.

The Council headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court Justice A P Shah said that some T V channels present programme in which live insects are eaten to show courage in
a manner that is distasteful and not conducive to health.

A few channels have a reality show in which animals are killed
week after week and animal parts such as sheep eyeballs and worms eaten in order to show bravery. The BCCC said that it was disturbing that some channels rope in popular movie stars in serials in which animals are depicted, and project their being stalked, teased, tails being pulled at, food being pulled away.

Not only are animals hurt and killed before, during and post filming, in many cases animals, especially reptilian and wild mammalian, are depicted as cruel and fearful, when in
fact they are placed in unnatural environments, and their natural behaviour is repressed.