BREAKING NEWS

The Narendra Modi government has decided to pause the weekly TRP rankings for news channels. For the next four weeks, the ratings that decide who is “number one” on television… will not be published. Why?

Because the government says television coverage of the Iran–US–Israel conflict has become too sensational.

Yes.

Indian television.

Sensational.

THAT’S NOT BREAKING NEWS

The government says this coverage could create panic among people, which is interesting. Because panic, drama, and shouting have been the business model of television news for years.

And the government had no problem with that during Operation Sindoor coverage, when studios looked less like newsrooms and more like war command centres.

So why is sensationalism suddenly a problem now? And what exactly are TRPs? And most importantly- How much money is involved?

Let me explain.

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