I&B Ministry
MIB consolidates media units
MUMBAI: The ministry of information and broadcasting (MIB) has integrated the Directorate of Film Publicity (DFP), Song and Drama Division (S&DD) and the directorate of audio visual publicity (DAVP) under the banner of Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC). The media units, which promote the programmes and policies of the government through different media, will function as divisions of the BOC.
According to the ministry’s order, all Regional Offices/Field units of S&DD and DAVP will be subsumed in the 22 Regional Offices and 147 Field Units of DFP. Accordingly, S&DD and DAVP will have to close their existing Regional/Field Units and co-locate their Units in the Regional/Field Units closest to them. The Integrated Regional Units will be re-named as Regional Outreach Bureaus (ROBs). The Additional Director General (Region) will be the Controlling Officer for all administrative and financial matters relating to the ROB concerned.
I&B Ministry
MIB halts news TRPs for four weeks over sensational US-Iran conflict coverage
Government flags panic-mongering in television war coverage
NEW DELHI: India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council India (BARC) to suspend television ratings for news channels for four weeks amid concerns over sensational coverage of the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Iran.
According to media reports, the move intends to curb excessive dramatisation in television reporting that could trigger unnecessary public anxiety.
Officials have observed that several news broadcasters are amplifying developments in the conflict in ways that may fuel panic among viewers. By temporarily halting the publication of viewership data, the ministry hopes to ease the competitive pressure on channels to chase ratings through sensational content.
The suspension will remain in effect for one month for now. During this period, television news channels will continue to broadcast as usual, but their audience measurement figures will neither be counted nor released.
Authorities will monitor both the evolving geopolitical situation and the tone of television coverage during the pause. The four-week suspension could be extended if the government believes the risk of panic-mongering or sensational reporting persists.
