News Broadcasting
BARC orders forensic audit in Kerala TRP scam probe
KERALA: Barc India has rushed to limit the fallout from an alleged television ratings scam in Kerala, commissioning an independent forensic audit after reports surfaced of potential data manipulation involving one of its employees.
The move follows a sting by Malayalam channel Twenty-Four which claimed a Barc staffer was linked to suspicious spikes in viewership for a Kerala broadcaster. The exposé has triggered a police inquiry into whether ratings were artificially inflated using crypto payments, leaked data and targeted meter mapping.
Seeking to project transparency and control, barc India said it has “immediately engaged a reputed independent agency to undertake a comprehensive forensic audit into the matter”. It stressed its commitment to integrity in audience measurement and urged the media and stakeholders to refrain from speculation as the investigation proceeds.
According to preliminary findings cited by investigators, WhatsApp chats and call logs appear to show advance rating figures being shared before official release. Police are also examining claims that nearly Rs 100 crore was routed through crypto wallets to influence outcomes, along with potential misuse of PIN-coded meter locations.
The case is still evolving, but the reputational risk is clear. India’s Rs 50,000 crore TV advertising market rests on trust in audience data. Barc’s rapid response signals the high stakes and its determination to shut down manipulation before the story gets bigger, darker and messier.
News Broadcasting
India Today Group debuts AI anchor ‘Sutra’ at AI Impact Summit 2026
Sutra aims to simplify live policy debates using sovereign AI models
NEW DELHI: India Today Group has unveiled Sutra, an AI-driven news anchor designed to deliver real-time, contextual reporting, marking the group’s latest push to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream journalism.
The AI anchor was introduced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi and developed in collaboration with BharatGen, with the initiative showcased by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
India Today Group said Sutra is built to navigate complex policy discussions and fast-moving developments by synthesising information into concise, accessible insights, aimed at narrowing the gap between high-level debates and public understanding. The AI anchor was used to surface live takeaways from key sessions at the summit.
India Today Group chief AI officer Nilanjan Das, said the project was focused on clarity and accessibility without diluting editorial rigour. He added that working with BharatGen aligned the group’s AI ambitions with India’s broader push towards sovereign technology capabilities.
BharatGen CEO Rishi Bal, said the partnership reflected a shift from basic automation towards deeper contextual intelligence in media. He emphasised the importance of indigenous, multimodal AI models capable of understanding Indian languages, regional dialects and cultural nuance, particularly as AI-driven news formats gain traction.
The launch positions India Today Group among the first major Indian media houses to deploy an AI anchor backed by home-grown technology, underscoring a growing convergence between journalism, public policy and sovereign AI infrastructure.
