Mumbai: The News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has demanded BARC to resume the release of audience measurement data for the news genre which has been unilaterally withheld for almost a year.

While registering its demand in a letter addressed to BARC CEO Nakul Chopra, the NBF said, “As the only industry body the representing the business interest and editorial freedom of news TV channels, NBF strongly iterate to be included and consulted on all issues surrounding the release of TRP data for news genre.”

Listing major concerns on the issue, it stated that there was no legitimate reason or rationale for a pause in ratings for one specific genre. “If the process of BARC is faulty and is being reworked, the entertainment and other genres which contribute 88 per cent continue to get the rating data. However, the news genre which constitutes only 12 per cent has been victimised; though the metering boxes and data collection is common for all genres," the federation said.

The NBF also alleged that vested corporate interests are overshadowing industry welfare, and this has caused a loss of credibility and revenue to the news genre. In addition, news broadcasters are losing the trust of the viewers and the advertisers are increasingly suspicious about the genuine performance of the channels.