TV fraternity divided on restricted time slot for condom ads on TV

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has restricted the time slots for condom ads to play between 10 pm-6 am. While some telly actors agree with the decision, some feel that it doesn’t make sense.

Sshrey Pareek: I think they should restrict the video in which our ads campaign show bold images as that might affect children. If they just show normal information about the product without any video, that can be helpful. And showing after 10 is not the solution. Today’s kids watch TV after 10 also so what's the point!

Rashami Desai: Why would anybody want stop spreading awareness? This issue needs to be dealt with in a smarter way. It’s important to educate the masses rather than keeping them away from such content.

Gurpreet Singh: Well, everybody knows what a condom is. In lieu of restricting condom ads timing, there should be conditions for portraying condom ads. The purpose of a condom is to take precaution and the purpose of the ad is to let people know about the brand. I suggest that in lieu of exhibiting intimate pictures or video, a simple informative ad should be done. Otherwise, the decision to restrict condom ads to the 10 pm to 6 am is not deplorable.

Gavie Chahal: Ban on condom ads is not the solution. There should be regulation on content being broadcast. In fact, why only a condom ads? There is plenty of more stuff, even songs etc, where the content is not suitable to watch for kids so I believe strict content guideline should be there too.

Gunjan Utreja: The issue is that condom ads do not educate. Instead of educating people about its benefits, it’s only an erotic visual trying to sell a product. So I can understand how it may have an adverse effect on kids or can be embarrassing to watch the same with your family. We need to have more educating condom ads which will help us.

Sehban Azim: After persistently asking my parents, when I was too young about condoms, my parents told me condoms and sanitary napkin were diapers for an adult. But soon I did find out the reality and at that time there was only Doordarshan and no internet. Now if you go tell the same thing to a kid in 2017, he probably might correct you and provide you with the right information. I think it's all out there and we should educate them rather than hiding any information.

Sheeba: I think it's perfectly alright. I, being a mother to teenagers, found it tough to explain condoms to my kids when they were younger. Post 10:00 pm, the kids who need to know about them would be awake and it would be fine, quite sensible.

Eijaz Khan: The Information and Broadcasting ministry comprise of educated individuals, I guess more educated than me. They know what they are doing and whatever they have done is probably after doing a series of surveys. I don't even want to validate this question by giving a straight answer. Yes, sometimes the condom ads are very hot and steamy, etc but you see these ads during your films, on the internet. You cannot regulate all these things. I think as a child, when I saw that nirodh ad and asked my father, he kind of explained it to me that it was something to do with adults and birth control. I understood much later. Anything and everything that initiates a dialogue with teenagers, especially when it comes to safe sex, should not be relegated to10 pm to 6 am. I think it's a need of the hour especially in the most populated country like ours. Having said that, the ministry consists of intelligent and more educated, they probably know what they are doing.

Saurabh Pandey: I can understand the fact that for some families it can be odd to sit together, when a condom ad plays on TV. Family members might feel odd or kids might just ask parents that what the product is and some people might not be able to explain kids. But I think elders are mature enough to handle such situations. But if we think we are trying to hide something by blocking condom TV ads from 10 pm to 6 am then I guess it's not going to help much because anyways we see condom ads at many other places such as the internet, online videos, posters, medical shops etc.

Tinaa Dattaa: I agree with this dictate. I feel that in a country like India, it is very difficult to explain such things to kids. You need to do it at the right time. And that cannot be determined by when these ads play on TV.

Hrishikesh Pandey: I personally think that it doesn't make any sense, 10 o'clock or 6'o clock, everybody watches television late in the night also. It's a world of the internet and everyone has an access to it be it computer or cellphones. What we are talking here is about the education that we are imparting. There is nothing wrong with it, so I think it makes no sense doing something like this. In fact I think it's absolutely stupid. This is giving sex education which is good and if they have to cut down on something it should be the sites that impart vulgar information.

Sneha Wagh: Nothing against the restriction of condom ads but aren’t we suppose to be more vocal about sex education and not just shy away all the time? We are taking everything from the west, why not the way they educate kids about biological tools since childhood. So there is no weird curiosities and awkwardness and unwanted thoughts. Safe Sex is an important part of education. Not sultry but educative Condom ads should be given support by the ministry.