As the West Asia conflict continues, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to continue withholding television rating points (TRPs) for news channels for an additional period of four weeks, or until further notice.The decision follows an earlier directive issued on March 6, 2026, instructing BARC to immediately suspend the release of TRP data for news broadcasters. According to the ministry, the move was intended to curb the rise of sensationalism and speculative reporting by certain television news channels during the ongoing West Asia conflict.In its latest order dated March 31, 2026, the ministry noted that the conflict situation in the region still largely persists. It expressed concern that exaggerated or unverified reporting could create unnecessary panic among the public, particularly among individuals with family or friends in the affected areas.The direction said, “It was aimed towards curbing the display of unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content by some news genre channels amidst the West Asia conflict, which may potentially create panic among the general public, especially those having friends and family in the affected areas or residing in the affected areas”.“In the public interest, the MIB hereby directs M/s BARC to withhold reporting the television rating points (TRPs) for news TV channels for a further period of four weeks or until further directions, whichever is earlier,” the ministry stated.The MIB emphasised that the measure is aimed at encouraging responsible journalism and ensuring that news coverage remains factual and restrained during a period of heightened geopolitical tension.With this latest direction, all television news channels will continue to remain without publicly accessible ratings for a month until a further direction is issued by the government.