‘Banning serials might not be possible; censorship is essential,’ says P Sathidevi

Thiruvananthapuram: P. Sathidevi, the Chairperson of the Kerala Women's Commission, has pointed out the need for stricter censorship of television serials, citing concerns over their social impact. While she clarified that banning serials altogether might not be possible, she stressed that it is essential to regulate content to ensure it sends the right messages to viewers, especially children.

Need for censorship in serials

Sathidevi pointed out that many serials currently broadcast on television propagate misleading and harmful messages, including promoting superstitions and immoral behaviour. She urged the need for examining how these serials affect viewers and whether they contribute positively to society. According to her, some serials are sending "wrong messages" to the audience, particularly children, which can influence their behaviour negatively.

Study on impact of serials conducted by Women's Commission

The Kerala Women's Commission had previously conducted a study in 2017-18 on the impact of serials, focusing on the content and its effects on viewers. Since she took charge as Chairperson in 2021, Sathidevi has not had the opportunity to review the full report. However, she indicated that a thorough evaluation of the findings would help her formulate a more informed response. She also spoke of the importance of creating serials that offer constructive, moral messages, without resorting to sensationalism. She also said that it is not possible for the commission to ban serials.

Public hearing on working conditions of women in serials

The Women's Commission had held a public hearing to address the challenges faced by women working in the television serial industry. The hearing, attended by the Minister of Culture and over 100 participants, focused on the poor working conditions and safety issues faced by women in the industry. The Commission has compiled a report based on these hearings and submitted it to the government for further action.