A Legal Analysis of Indecent Representation of Women in Media

The development of any civilization can be assumed from the status of its women. It has been seen thatthe special role of women as progenitor’s has led the other half of the population to consider them asvulnerable, weak and meant to be kept inside the four walls of the house. From the earliest times of thehuman race, the situation of women has not been the same, rather it has been a gradual process ofdeterioration. To address the deplorable state of women, a movement called feminism developed. Itgave recognition to the rights of women and is still fighting to give them equal and dignified presence.This whole movement has been in a gradual process of development. Within this a debate arose withregard to the objectification of women. In India, the question across sexuality and objectification hasgone through a long journey and debate. The ever-expansive media industry and the various rules toregulate its content have ignited the questions more forcefully. Freedom of speech and expression isensured to Indian media but subject to reasonable restrictions, inter alia, public order, decency ormorality. This study focused on “women” with consideration of “gender”. “Media” under this workincludes the way of public communication reaching to a larger, scattered and heterogeneous audiencewith special emphasis on visual media and focus on movies and advertisements. The objectives of thisresearch was to study objectification of women in media and its impact; to examine the legal regulationsfor media content in India and lacunas to prevent objectification of women in media.