I&B Ministry
India steps up fight against digital piracy
MUMBAI: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has opened the floor to industry voices as it plans a major revamp of India’s digital anti-piracy armour.
A public notice issued on 7 November invites inputs from film producers, broadcasters, OTT platforms and telecom players on tackling the fast-spreading menace of online content theft. With billions lost each year to pirated movies and shows, the government is keen to tighten its grip on digital delinquents.
Stakeholders have been asked to share their experiences on identifying and removing pirated content, plugging technological gaps, improving coordination with enforcement agencies and adopting global best practices that fit India’s media landscape.
Suggestions can be emailed to digital-mediamib@gov.in within 20 days of the notice. The move signals a renewed push to build a stronger, smarter defence for India’s creative economy, before the pirates sail any further.
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.
