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Friday, April 3, 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

India’s AI Mission is flying blind without technocrats

While the rest of the world has converged on a model—technical judgement inside the institution, as a permanent organisational property—India remains a conspicuous and costly outlier.

Tanker with 600,000 barrels of Iranian crude shifts course from India to China midway

The shipment earlier bound for Gujarat’s Vadinar has changed course amid payment concerns; could still reach India if issues are resolved, according to Kpler.

India commissions its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine—INS Aridhaman

INS Arihant was first vessel under SSBN project and was quietly commissioned in 2016. The second indigenous SSBN, INS Arighat, was commissioned in August 2024.

Gulf war exposed India’s fragilities. It’s time for navel-gazing, in the national interest

It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.