I&B Ministry
Highlight women’s rights, broadcasters told
NEW DELHI: In the wake of rampant cases of molestations of women, even in public places like in Bengaluru recently on New Year’s Eve, the government has issued a directive to TV broadcasters and FM radio stations to highlight the importance of treating women with respect and equality.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on Wednesday sent out an advisory to FM radio and television broadcasters, which have signed the licence conditions and other government regulations, to air programmes on TV and radio to convey the message that women need to be “treated with respect and equality”.
Both TV and radio broadcasters, the MIB said as per stipulations, need to broadcast public interest announcements for maximum of one hour per day suitable/proportional time slots interspersed during that day to highlight the women’s issue.
For FM radio broadcasters, MIB advised two jingles of 60 seconds and 57 seconds duration should be aired. The private FM Radio stations were advised to broadcast the jingles at least twice a day during peak hours.
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.
