Central government directs to immediately withhold TV TRP ratings exercise to avoid sensational reporting on ongoing war between US, Iran and Israel in wider public interest
Amidst the ongoing hectic war between Iran, US and Israel and lakhs of Indians living abroad with ten thousand stranded in Iran the Indian government has so far been successful in safely evacuating over 15 thousand passengers from UAE Saudi Arabia and Oman with more efforts going on to evacuate Indians stranded in countries affected by the war.
Meanwhile, the Information and broadcasting ministry has issued the policy guidelines for television rating agencies in India dated 16.1.2024 for Televison Rating and MS Broadcast Audience Research Council ( BARC) that in view of the interest of the people of India, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting directs BARC to immediately withhold the reporting of the Television Rating Points for News TV Channels for a period of four weeks or till further directions which ever is earlier.
In a letter of directions written to the Chief Executive Officer of BARC, Mumbai the the additional director BPand L, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Gauri Shankar Kesarvani has catagorically instructed the BARC stating that the Ministy of Information and Broadcasting has observed that amidst the ongoing Israel-lran confict, certain News TV Channels are displaying unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content, which may potentially create panic among the general public, specially those having friends and family in the affected areas or residing in the affected areas.
He directed the company under Clause 24.2 of the aforesaid Policy Guidelines, inter alia, prescribing that “The company shall be required to comply with any orders, regulations, guidelines, directions, etc., issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 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 (4) weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier said the letter issued by the Additional Director BPand L, Ministry of I& B, Government of India.
It may be recalled that after the war between Iran , US and Israel and the subsequent huge destructin with deaths of thousands of innocent people in these countries the government of India is of the opinion that uf the news is over sensitised then those Indians living abroad and their families in India will be badly terrified hence the TRP ratings should be ignored for some weeks.
Kindly further recall that around 9,000 Indians are stranded in Iran, including students, while millions more are in other affected Middle East countries. According to the current breakup
10,000 Indians, including 3,000 students are currently stranded in Iran with
3.5 million Indians in UAE, 2.5 million Indians in Saudi Arabia, 1 million Indians in Kuwait and in
Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain Hundreds of thousands of Indians are staying and stranded.
The Indian government has launched evacuation efforts, with airlines operating special flights to bring back stranded passengers. As of March 7, 2026, Indian airlines have repatriated around 15,000 passengers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
Indian government has been working to evacuate its citizens from Iran and other affected Middle East countries amidst the escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US. Here are some key updates:
As of March 7, 2026, around 4,415 Indians have been evacuated from Iran and Israel under Operation Sindhu, using 19 special flights.
Approximately 10,000 Indians are stranded in Iran, including 6,000 students in seminaries and medical colleges, 2,000 fishermen and sailors, and others.
Indians are being evacuated through land borders with Armenia and Turkmenistan, as well as by air from Mashhad and Tehran.
The Ministry of External Affairs has set up emergency control rooms, helplines, and is coordinating with airlines and local authorities to facilitate evacuations.
The situation is being closely monitored, and the government is working to ensure the safe return of stranded citizens.
Let’s hope the government’s decision on TV TRPs promotes responsible journalism and helps bring some positive change for those affected by the USA–Iran crisis.