(Image source from: RJs mimicking MPs may attract punishment})

Radio jockeys in India could talk freely till now. But now their freedom of speech may be curtailed. Private radio channels will have to keep a tab over what the RJs speak on air.

RJs are known to joke about members of parliament and ministers on air quite often. But now the Government has taken a decision to take punitive action against private FM channels who air jokes related to MPs.

According to reports strict action will be taken against the radio channels where the RJs mimic the members of parliament.

Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Manmohan Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi and recently Arvind Kejriwal had been the butt of mimicry jokes on radio channels. But after the recent development, all private radio channels would have to regulate the content that goes on air.

The issue was raised in parliament by Jaya Bachchan. Ms Bachchan raised the matter of mimicry saying RJs used extremely objectionable language.

The matter was backed by the information and Broadcast minister Prakash Javadekar. The I&B minister said the matter would be taken under serious consideration.

At present private FM channels cannot air news, it's done only by the All India Radio. But recently, the Narendra Modi Government ha has given indications that private FM channels may be allowed to air news.

(AW: Pratima Tigga)