Sun News, DMK’s Mouthpiece, Under Fire Again for Misrepresenting TRAI’s New Tariff Rules
Chennai, December 26, 2024 – Sun News, the television news channel owned by the family of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in Tamil Nadu, has once again found itself embroiled in controversy for disseminating misinformation. The channel, often criticized for acting as the DMK’s propaganda arm, distorted the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) recent announcement regarding separate tariff plans for voice calls, SMS, and data packs. TRAI’s directive mandates telecom providers to offer standalone voice and SMS plans, alongside existing bundled options, with the aim of benefiting consumers who primarily use feature phones or require only basic communication services. Sun News, however, presented this move as a burdensome imposition on consumers, alleging that TRAI was forcing users to purchase separate plans, thereby increasing their expenses.
TRAI’s new regulation, announced on December 23, 2024, aims to empower consumers, particularly the estimated 150 million feature phone users in India, by providing them with the choice to subscribe only to the services they need. The regulation stipulates that telecom operators must offer at least one voice and SMS-only plan with a validity of up to 365 days. This move is expected to benefit a large segment of the population, including senior citizens, rural residents, and dual-SIM users who prefer to keep a separate number for voice calls and SMS. The amendment also extends the validity of special recharge coupons from 90 days to a maximum of 365 days, providing greater flexibility to consumers.
Contrary to TRAI’s consumer-centric approach, Sun News framed the regulation as an added financial burden. The channel’s news card, published on December 23, 2024, declared that TRAI had ordered telecom companies to introduce separate recharge plans within 30 days, insinuating that this was a mandatory change affecting all users. The channel’s deliberate misrepresentation of the facts sparked outrage among netizens, who quickly debunked the false narrative. Several users pointed out that the new plans were optional and designed specifically for those who do not utilize data services. Others criticized Sun News for its blatant attempt to mislead the public and sow discontent against the regulatory body.
The backlash against Sun News highlights the growing concern over the spread of misinformation, particularly by media outlets with political affiliations. Social media users criticized Sun News for its biased reporting and urged the central government to take action against the channel for spreading fake news. The incident also underscores the importance of media literacy and critical thinking in the digital age. Several users, influenced by Sun News’s distorted reporting, expressed their frustration over the perceived additional charges, highlighting the potential consequences of unchecked misinformation.
This latest incident is not an isolated case. Sun News has a history of disseminating false or misleading information, often to advance the DMK’s political agenda. Past instances include false claims about the Tamil Nadu government’s contribution to the PMAY scheme, the editing of a video to conceal Chief Minister MK Stalin’s trembling hands, the misrepresentation of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s statements regarding flood relief, and the dissemination of misinformation about the online gambling law. These repeated instances raise serious questions about the channel’s journalistic ethics and its commitment to factual reporting.
The pattern of misinformation perpetuated by Sun News reveals a disturbing trend in media manipulation. By consistently distorting facts and framing narratives to suit the ruling party’s interests, the channel undermines the public’s trust in both media and government institutions. Such practices also erode the democratic process by creating a skewed perception of reality, potentially influencing public opinion and electoral outcomes. The incident involving the TRAI tariff regulations underscores the urgent need for greater media accountability and the promotion of critical media consumption among citizens. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of partisan media and the importance of seeking information from credible and diverse sources.
