Government Halts TV News Ratings Amid Concerns Over Sensationalism

Government's Directive on TV News Ratings

New Delhi: On Friday, the government instructed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend the reporting of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news channels for a duration of four weeks or until further notice.

This decision comes in response to certain news channels exhibiting "unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content" regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which could potentially incite panic among viewers, particularly those with connections in the affected regions.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting highlighted that the current media coverage could alarm the public, especially individuals with friends and family in conflict zones.

As per the 'Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India' established on January 16, 2014, BARC is recognized as the official television rating agency.

The Ministry's directive emphasizes that the observed sensationalism in news reporting during the Israel-Iran conflict is concerning and could lead to unnecessary anxiety among the populace.

Clause 24.2 of the policy guidelines mandates compliance with any directives issued by the Ministry.

In light of public interest, the Ministry has ordered BARC to immediately halt TRP reporting for news channels for four weeks or until further instructions are provided.