"Sensational coverage": MIB directs BARC to withhold TRP ratings for news channels for four weeks
New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to withhold reporting of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news channels for four weeks or until further notice, news agency ANI reported.
Citing the official order of the Ministry, ANI reported that the decision was taken due to concerns over “unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content” during coverage of the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict.
The Ministry stated that such content could create panic among the public, especially among people who have friends and family in the affected regions.
The order referred to Clause 24.2 of the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India, which requires companies to follow directions issued by the Ministry. Based on this provision, BARC has been instructed to immediately stop reporting TRPs for news television channels.
“In the public interest, the Ministry 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 order read.
TRP are measured every week by the agency BARC and news channels use it to to secure advertisement revenue
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suspends TV ratings for 4 weeks or until further notice.
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2026
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has observed that amidst the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, certain News TV Channels are displaying unwarranted sensationalism and…
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
