NEW DELHI: In the wake of rampant cases of molestations of women, even in public places like in Bengaluru recently on New Year’s Eve, the government has issued a directive to TV broadcasters and FM radio stations to highlight the importance of treating women with respect and equality.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Wednesday sent out an advisory to FM radio and television broadcasters, which have signed the licence conditions and other government regulations, to air programmes on TV and radio to convey the message that women need to be “treated with respect and equality”.

Both TV and radio broadcasters, the MIB said as per stipulations, need to broadcast public interest announcements for maximum of one hour per day suitable/proportional time slots interspersed during that day to highlight the women’s issue.

For FM radio broadcasters, MIB advised two jingles of 60 seconds and 57 seconds duration should be aired. The private FM Radio stations were advised to broadcast the jingles at least twice a day during peak hours.