Kamal Ghorui
New Delhi: The ministry of information and broadcasting has extended its directive to suspend television rating points (TRPs) for news channels by another four weeks, citing concerns over sensationalizing West Asia conflict.In an order issued on March 31, the ministry said the step was necessary in public interest, as the conflict “still largely prevails at the moment”. The direction continues the March 6 order that had first halted TRP reporting amid concerns that competitive pressures were driving “unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content” by sections of the news media, and. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of television news content, with the govt repeatedly flagging responsible coverage during relevant crises.Officials said such broadcasts could trigger panic among viewers, especially those with family or friends in affected regions.Industry executives said the absence of weekly ratings may ease the race for viewership, but could also disrupt advertising negotiations tied to audience data.This is the second such intervention after the 2020 TRP suspension linked to alleged manipulation, underscoring the regulator’s willingness to step in during periods of market distortion or public concern. Analysts said the extension signals tighter oversight as geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines.
