Government halts TV news TRPs for four weeks to curb sensational coverage

New Delhi: The government has directed that Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels be withheld for a period of four weeks, citing concerns over sensational and speculative reporting during crisis situations.

The move comes in the backdrop of coverage during Operation Sindoor, where some news channels were found airing “unwarranted sensational and speculative content,” according to a statement by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Such coverage, the government noted, has been observed during periods of conflict and has the potential to trigger panic among viewers, particularly those with family or acquaintances in affected areas.