Extending its March 6 directive, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has instructed the Broadcast Audience Research Council to continue withholding TV media channel ratings (TRPs). This suspension will remain in effect for an additional four weeks, or until further notice, amid the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

In its March 6 order, the ministry noted that “certain News TV channels” were “displaying unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content” about the ongoing conflict. The order issued on April 2 noted, “Such behaviour by TV channels has been observed during times of conflict or crisis. It also has the potential to spread panic among the public, especially those concerned for friends and family members living in affected areas.”

The April 2 order went on to read, “These instructions have been widely accepted by all stakeholders, and no objections have been received so far.”

As Newslaundry previously highlighted, TV news coverage of the violent conflict in West Asia had been characterised by the use of recycled and mislabeled footage, fake news, communal dog-whistling and, in some bizarre instances, “analysis by astrologers”.

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