The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for four weeks or until further direction.

The order has been issued in view of the “unwarranted sensationalism” in reporting the ongoing war in West Asia involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

It is learnt that the Ministry took note of the sensational and speculative reporting of the conflict by a section of broadcasters, which had the potential to create panic amongst the general public.

Accordingly, the BARC has been asked to immediately pause the publication of TRPs, apparently to ensure that the channels do not indulge in such reporting for higher viewership ratings.