The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend the publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for four weeks or until further directions.
As per media reports, the directive has been issued in view of what the Ministry described as “unwarranted sensationalism” in the reporting of the ongoing war in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
It has been learnt that the Ministry has taken note of sensational and speculative coverage of the conflict by a section of broadcasters, which has had the potential to create panic among the general public.
Accordingly, BARC has been asked to immediately pause the publication of TRPs to ensure that channels do not engage in such reporting to drive higher viewership ratings.
