Rahul Mehta Flags Regulatory Concerns as Government Assumes Full Control Over TV Ratings Oversight

Recent policy developments transferring oversight of television ratings from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to the government have sparked important discussions around regulatory independence and accountability in India’s media landscape.

Commenting on the move, Rahul Mehta noted that the exclusion of TRAI from the oversight framework and the consolidation of powers within the ministry may lead to concerns regarding the absence of an independent regulatory check in the TV ratings ecosystem. His observations highlight the critical role that institutional independence plays in ensuring transparency and credibility in audience measurement systems.

The shift in oversight structure could have far-reaching implications for broadcasters, advertisers, and other stakeholders who rely on credible and unbiased ratings data. Independent regulation has traditionally served as a safeguard against potential conflicts of interest, and any dilution of this framework may impact stakeholder confidence in the system.

Read more at: https://www.livemint.com/industry/india-government-controls-tv-ratings-advertising-oversight-changes-11775031686245.html