The Maharashtra government is set to establish a media monitoring centre to track, analyze, and respond to news content across print, electronic, and digital platforms. With a budget allocation of ₹10 crore, the initiative aims to ensure factual reporting and counter misleading or negative narratives in real time.
According to a government resolution (GR) published on Wednesday, the centre will systematically collect and assess news reports, categorizing them into positive, negative, and neutral segments. Misleading content will be promptly clarified, while negative reports will be addressed expeditiously. The centre will operate daily from 8 AM to 10 PM under the Directorate of Information and Publicity.
A professional consultant, to be hired via an e-tender process, will compile government-related news in a structured PDF format. This data will be sorted by departments, issues, incidents, and individuals. Additionally, electronic media content will be monitored hourly, with alerts provided on trends, mood, and tone.
The consultant’s tenure will initially be for one year, with the option of an extension up to three years if performance is deemed satisfactory. The move comes as the state government seeks to streamline the monitoring of media coverage on its policies and schemes amid the growing influence of digital news platforms.
