THE Indian Government’s Ministry of Information andBroadcasting has drawn up a Content Code after several TV channels were taken off air this year for periods ranging from 30-60 days.The Code sets out principles to which broadcasters and advertisers are expected to adhere, with the aim of ensuring program content “is suitable for the viewing or listening experience of the public at large.”Moreover, the Code will introduce classification of programs and advertisements as U (universal), U/A (unrestricted when accompanied by an adult), and A (adults), and specify that adult material can only be screened during the “watershed” period of 11 pm – 4 am.The newly-formed News Broadcasters Association (NBA) is fiercely opposed to the reforms.Regulation of content in news broadcasting is tantamount to gagging the press and would “take us back a number of decades,” says G. Krishnan, CEO and Executive Director, TV Today Network, and President of the NBA.“Media in our country has always shown maturity and responsibility, and I don’t think any content code is required to govern them,” he continues.