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Sunday, April 5, 2026
TopicMinistry of Information and Broadcasting

Topic: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Govt rewrites TV ratings rules, gives itself sweeping powers to audit & inspect rating agencies

Days after the I&B ministry directed BARC to withhold TRP reporting for news channels over ‘speculative content’ in the Israel-Iran conflict coverage, the TV Ratings Policy 2026 comes into effect.

Two strikes & you’re out: New TRAI manual introduces sweeping changes to cable TV and DTH audits

Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual 2026 comes into force from 1 April. It replaces 2019 version of manual & is most significant rewrite of India's pay TV audit framework in 7 years. 

I&B Ministry notified OTT Accessibility Rules under shadow of contempt. Here’s what they say

The guidelines, which came days after a contempt petition, aim to ensure that all media content is in an accessible format for the hearing and visually impaired within three years.

Kerala govt to screen all films denied censor exemption by I&B Ministry at IFFK

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the ministry’s refusal to clear the films, saying that ‘denying permission to some Palestinian films reflects bureaucratic over-cautiousness’.

Madras HC directs Centre to unblock Ananda Vikatan website after removal of Modi cartoon

Court yet to decide whether cartoon comes under freedom of speech & expression, or affects friendly foreign ties. Judge directs media outlet to temporarily remove cartoon.

In political crosshairs over a Modi cartoon, Tamil media giant Vikatan has a long history of defiance

Before the current crackdown on Vikatan by BJP-led Centre, past AIADMK & DMK-led state govts have also taken it to court for defaming their leaders & parties over cartoons, articles.

I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says stricter laws needed to curb ‘vulgar’ content on social media

The minister said editorial checks on online platforms were scarce, which proliferated ‘uncontrolled expression, which often includes vulgar content’.

Ministry of I&B, AYUSH collaborate for International Day of Yoga celebration

The Ministry of I&B's New Media Wing (NMW) is also planning activities like 'Yoga with Family' contests on their social media accounts.

What Modi govt’s advisory to private TV channels on airing content of ‘national importance’ says

Sports channels exempt from obligation of public service broadcasting, says I&B ministry. Broadcasters to submit monthly reports on Broadcast Seva Portal by 7th of each month.

Centre asks TV to show ‘good taste & decency’ while reporting violence against women, children

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory Monday after noticing ‘several instances of lack of discretion by television channels’.

On Camera

The influencer war that took rural creator Pujarini Pradhan global

As social media debated whether audiences were consuming Pujarini Pradhan as a symbol, The Juggernaut turned her into a story that could circulate globally, with or without her participation.

SEBI proposes return of open market share buybacks to support stocks

Regulator seeks feedback on allowing firms to repurchase shares via exchanges after tax changes, as markets reel from war-led selloff and foreign outflows.

South Korea’s Cheongung-II missile system makes its mark in West Asia war. Here’s why

UAE has been using this defence system, which is similar to America's Patriots, against Iranian missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

China insulated itself against energy shocks. India is ‘all talk, no walk’

China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.