Question

Which of the following Acts deals with the wrongful and explicit portrayal of female body for product marketing in print and electronic media?

• A. Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995
• B. Cinematograph Act, 1952
• C. Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
• D. Wrongful Portrayal of Females (Prevention) Act, 1996

Hint:

The 1986 Act was introduced to preserve the dignity and respect of women in public representation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:

• The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986, was enacted to prohibit the indecent representation of women through advertisements, publications, writings, paintings, or in any other manner.
• The law aims to prevent the commodification and derogatory portrayal of women in the media.

Step 1: Identify the specific legal provision
The Act defines "indecent representation" as the depiction of a woman's figure, form, or body part in a way that is indecent, derogatory, or likely to deprave, corrupt, or injure public morality. Section 3 specifically prohibits advertisements containing such representations.

Step 2: Analyze the scope of the Act
It covers all forms of media, including print (newspapers, magazines) and electronic media (including digital platforms after recent proposed amendments). It penalizes not just the publisher, but also the advertiser and the distributor.

Step 3: Differentiate from other Acts
(A) The Cable TV Act deals with overall broadcasting standards and codes but is not exclusively for female portrayal. (B) The Cinematograph Act deals with the certification of films by the Censor Board. (D) This is a non-existent Act name used as a distractor.

Step 4: Conclusion
The most direct and specialized law for this issue is the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.