New Delhi, Dec. 7 -- Last week, the Broadcast Audience Research Council (Barc) was hit by a scandal-Malayalam news channel Twentyfour News accused the Council's employees of colluding with a rival channel to boost its ratings by sharing confidential information. The channel also accused its unidentified rival of manipulating its YouTube viewership.

Barc has ordered a forensic audit. But this isn't the first time such a scandal has hit the industry body responsible for measuring the viewership and reach of traditional TV. In 2020, then chief executive officer (CEO) Partho Dasgupta was arrested after allegations that Barc had manipulated ratings to favour the Republic network of news channels. The case was ultimately closed, but Barc was f...