New Delhi, 07 April (H.S.):

The Central government has extended the suspension of Television Rating Points (TRP) for TV news channels by another four weeks. This measure aims to curb speculation and sensationalism during the ongoing crisis.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to halt TRP reporting following the dissemination of inaccurate and fabricated news during the Israel-Iran conflict, preventing panic among the public.

The ministry's order noted that certain news channels were broadcasting war scenarios in an unnecessarily sensational manner. Such content risks creating confusion and fear, particularly heightening anxiety among families of those in affected regions.

During this period, channels' performance will not be evaluated through standard TRP processes. Notably, the government had initially ordered a four-week TRP suspension for news channels on March 6 in view of the West Asia crisis.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar