The government on Friday directed television rating agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to immediately freeze reporting the Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for a period of four weeks, or until further orders, over ‘sensational’ coverage of US-Iran conflict. In retaliation, Tehran has responded with counter-strikes targeting American military bases and other Israeli assets across the region. According to the 'Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies in India', issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on January 16, 2014 for television rating, Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is a registered television rating agency. The Clause 24.2 of the policy guidelines, prescribes that "The company shall be required to comply with any orders, regulations, guidelines, directions, etc., issued by the Ministry from time to time. "Therefore, in the public interest, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting hereby directs M/s BARC to immediately withhold reporting the Television Rating Points(TRPs) for news TV channels for a period of four weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier," the directive said.

Source: Mint March 06, 2026 16:48 UTC