I&B Ministry
Borderless world in context of changing communication paradigm, says Rathore
New Delhi: Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore today said the global community was living in a borderless world in view of the changing communication paradigm. The advent of internet, online news, social media and satellite communication had completely overhauled the communication and information space.
Delivering his address at the 65th convocation ceremony of Diploma Course in Development Journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communications here, he said communication had been a critical component of the governments outreach strategy through people centric initiatives and innovative approaches.
Citing the example of Mann ki Baat broadcasts and My Gov Portal, the Minister said that innovative use of such two way communication platforms had helped government solicit the views from people for better Governance and to also understand their communication needs and perspective.
Earlier, Col. Rathore interacted with Indian Information Service officer trainees currently undergoing training at IIMC. He urged them to develop skills, aptitude and understanding of media landscape in taking forward the Government communication roadmap.
He also launched the social media platforms of IIMC and a memento as a part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Institute which was established in 1965.
The Development Journalism Course at IIMC was an endeavour towards promoting international cooperation and understanding, especially among countries of the Developing World, through the exchange of experience, expertise and innovations in the field of harnessing communication as a tool of development.
IIMC conducts a specific course on development journalism for media personnel from developing countries, sponsored by the External Affairs ministry.
I&B Ministry
Govt extends TRP suspension for news channels by four weeks amid concerns
I&B ministry cites sensationalism fears linked to West Asia conflict coverage
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the suspension of Television Rating Points for news channels by another four weeks, keeping the industry in a ratings blackout for a longer stretch.
In an order dated March 31, the ministry directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council to continue withholding TRP data “for a further period of four weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier.” This marks the second such directive after an initial four-week pause was imposed on March 6.
The government said the extension is aimed at curbing unwarranted sensationalism and speculative reporting, particularly in the context of the ongoing tensions in West Asia. It noted that the conflict continues to evolve and could trigger anxiety among viewers, especially those with personal or economic ties to the region.
TRPs serve as the primary yardstick for measuring television viewership and play a crucial role in shaping advertising revenues and competitive positioning among news broadcasters. Their absence effectively removes a key performance benchmark, forcing channels to operate without publicly available ratings.
The directive applies specifically to news television channels and has been issued under the government’s regulatory powers in the interest of public order. While the move is framed as a temporary measure, its continuation suggests ongoing concerns about the tone and nature of coverage.
For broadcasters, the extended blackout means navigating a high-stakes news cycle without the usual scoreboard. Whether it tempers the noise or simply shifts the battle elsewhere remains to be seen, but for now, the ratings race is officially on pause.
