New Delhi: Show cause notices were issued on 70 occasions to television channels in the last three years for broadcasting misleading and surrogate advertisements.

“Some instances of misleading and surrogate advertisements in the electronic media have been brought to the notice of the government,” minister for information and broadcasting Ambika Soni informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday in a written reply.

She added that as far as print media is concerned, complaints including those relating to misleading and surrogate advertisement are handled by Press Council of India.

Soni informed the Lower House that as per Cable TV rules, no direct or indirect advertisement of alcoholic and tobacco products is permitted on cable and satellite television channels.

“As far as print media is concerned, government does not exercise any control on the content of print media. However, the Press Council of India monitors and takes cognizance suo motu or on complaints of advertisements that are violative of ethics of journalistic practice,” the minister added.

She also told the Lok Sabha that government is currently considering recommendations by Trai on amending Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995.

Trai had submitted its recommendations to the government on 25 July last year on changes in the present legal provisions and regulatory framework of cable services.