I&B Ministry
MIB hikes ad rates for private TV channels
MUMBAI: Just a few weeks ahead of election date announcements, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has taken a decision to revise the advertisement rates offered by the Bureau of Outreach and Communication (BOC) to private TV channels.
The ministry noted in a statement, “The revised rates have been announced on the basis of a review committee constituted by the ministry which submitted its report on 1 January 2019.”
“The revision would lead to an increase in rates of around 11 per cent over the rates of 2017 in respect of most of the private TV channels while it could be of a higher percentage for some others, as per their reach and TV ratings.”
The ministry also announced that differential rate structures for news and non-news channels will be offered, depending upon their overall reach in the country. “The decision will also make it easier for TV channels to be empanelled with BOC in order to take advantage of the higher rates,” it noted.
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.
