In response to “sensational” coverage of the Iran War, the government freezes TV news TRPs for four weeks.

Citing concerns about “sensational” coverage of the ongoing US-Iran conflict, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has instructed the television rating agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to immediately stop reporting Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for four weeks, or until further orders. 

The ministry’s statement states that the decision was made in response to reports that some news outlets have been airing “unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content” about the Israel-Iran conflict. According to the ministry, such coverage “may potentially create panic among the general public,” especially among those who live in conflict areas or have friends and family in the impacted areas.

According to the directive, BARC would not publish TRP ratings for news channels “for a period of four weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier.”  Clause 24.2 of the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India, published on January 16, 2014, was mentioned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. 

Television rating agencies must abide by “any orders, regulations, guidelines, directions, etc., issued by the Ministry from time to time,” according to the paragraph. The government ordered BARC to cease releasing TRP ratings for TV news channels right away, citing this clause.

“Therefore, in the public interest, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting hereby directs M/s BARC to immediately withhold reporting the Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news TV channels for a period of four weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier,” the directive said.

The decision is issued in the midst of intensifying hostilities in West Asia, which on Friday, March 6, entered their seventh day. The material presented indicates that the current phase of the battle started on February 28, when US and Israeli strikes on Iran murdered Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the country’s supreme leader, and other high-ranking members of the Islamic Republic.

Tehran has responded by launching counterattacks against Israeli-affiliated assets and US military installations around the area.  India’s television news outlets have covered the happenings extensively; however, the government claims that part of the reporting contains speculative material.

Television viewership in India is measured by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), a recognized television rating agency.

Television Rating Points (TRPs), which are used by broadcasters and advertisers to gauge viewership trends and advertising efficacy, are gathered and published by BARC in accordance with the government’s Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India.In the television advertising industry, TRP data is crucial since it affects ad pricing and channel programming choices. The 2014 policy framework is used by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate television rating agencies. According to these rules, organizations like BARC must follow the ministry’s directives.