MAM
Press Council urges print media to follow exit poll rules ahead of state polls
Advisory flags strict curbs on surveys to protect fair and free elections
NEW DELHI: With several states preparing to head to the polls, India’s media watchdog is ensuring the fourth estate stays on the straight and narrow. The Press Council of India has issued a fresh advisory to the print media, urging reporters to stick to the script of objective journalism as voters in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry prepare to cast their ballots.
The council is reminding editors that the freedom of the press is a two-way street that requires a healthy dose of responsibility. To keep the democratic gears turning smoothly, the Press Council of India (PCI) wants newspapers to ditch the “unhealthy” campaigns and exaggerated tales that often crop up during the heat of a race. Instead, the focus should remain on providing fair reports about the candidates without letting a few high-profile names hog all the headlines.
One of the biggest red flags in the new advisory is the paid news phenomenon. The council defines this as any analysis or news appearing for a price, whether that is cold hard cash or a favour in kind. To spot these advertorials in disguise, the watchdog suggests looking for tell-tale signs: identical reports appearing verbatim in competing papers or news items that suddenly shower a candidate with every virtue known to man.
Religion and caste are also off-limits for campaign trail rhetoric. The guidelines strictly forbid any reporting that might stir up enmity or hatred between different communities. Reporters are also being told to steer clear of unverified allegations and to politely decline any hospitality or financial inducements offered by those looking for a favourable slant.
While newspapers are still free to make an honest assessment of who might win, they must ensure their predictions are based on verified surveys rather than just a gut feeling or a hidden payment. The goal is to ensure that the electorate receives the facts they need to make an informed choice, rather than a polished PR pitch disguised as a front-page story.
Brands
Jubilant Foodworks to end Dunkin’ franchise in India
Pizza chain operator will not renew agreement when it expires at end of 2026.
MUMBAI: When the doughnuts stop turning and the coffee goes cold, even a global giant like Dunkin’ can find the Indian market a tough brew to crack. Jubilant Foodworks has decided not to renew its franchise agreement with Dunkin’ when the pact expires on 31 December 2026, according to a Reuters report. The operator, best known for running Domino’s outlets in India, said it would evaluate options for its existing Dunkin’ stores, including a potential sale or transfer of franchise rights, in consultation with the US-based brand.
The decision follows years of underperformance in a market where local tastes and intense competition have made it difficult for international coffee-and-doughnut formats to gain traction. Jubilant, which has increasingly focused on its core pizza business and newer bets like Popeyes, indicated that the exit would not materially affect its financial or operational position.
Dunkin’ accounted for just 0.61 per cent of Jubilant’s revenue in the fiscal year ending 2025 and recorded a loss of approximately Rs 191 million, according to a regulatory filing. The company operated 27 outlets as of December 2025, having shuttered seven stores over the preceding year.
The retreat comes even as Jubilant’s broader business shows signs of momentum. The company reported a 65 per cent rise in quarterly profit for the October to December period, reaching Rs 70.9 crore, up from Rs 42.91 crore a year earlier.
For Jubilant, the exit reflects a sharpening strategic focus. For Dunkin’, it marks another setback in a market that has proven resistant to imported café concepts without significant localisation.
In the cut-throat world of Indian quick-service restaurants, sometimes the sweetest deals are the ones you quietly walk away from leaving more room for the brands that truly rise to the occasion.
