The Indian government has warned television channels they may be pulled off air unless they stop beaming programmes, mainly movies and music videos, featuring "vulgar content", reports said Friday.
Channel representatives were read the riot act by information ministry officials and censor board chief Anupam Kher at a meeting in Delhi late Thursday, reports in a number of newspapers said.
Kher slammed the network representatives for ignoring repeated warnings to avoid telecasting "programmes unsuitable for unrestricted public exhibition."
The Indian Broadcasting Federation, representing broadcasters, said it would take up the issue with members and draw up guidelines for self-regulation.
Government officials are worried that channels are showing adult films and explicit music videos during prime time television.
While cinema theatres are obliged to submit films for approval with the censor board, television stations are not faced with similar restrictions.
The issue came into the spotlight after a Bombay court expressed concern over increasing obscenity on television and the need for regulation of broadcasters.