TRP-driven journalism slammed by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar

"We believe in self-regulation and freedom of the media. But the media needs to re-think TRPs. There should be a better way to monitor popularity. Responsible journalism should not suffer due to the pressure of TRP," Javadekar said.

He added that when BARC, the agency that currently monitors television ratings, came into play, he had welcomed the move as he thought it would pave the way for self-regulation. But now those who created it are themselves coming and complaining about it, he added.

Javadekar asked the audience to "remember" the kind of reportage that came out in the last "two weeks or two months". Javadekar said that the media industry, at some point, will need to "stop, rectify or come out with a better version" of the current TRP model.

The I&B Minister said that there is a difference between a system that determines popularity and a system that is forced to show "inciteful news". "The government trusts the media and its independence. Media needs to find a way how it can enjoy that freedom with self-restraint," urged the Minister.

He said that it started with 'yellow journalism' and went on to be 'paid news', 'fake news' and subsequently 'TRP journalism'. Javadekar was speaking at an event where RSS Supremo Mohan Bhagwat was also present. (IANS)