PR Report on Media Analysis of news trends By Top PR Agencies in India.

1. PR Report on Media Analysis (News Trends - March 15th to April 30th 2021)

2. Introduction This report provides information obtained through media analysis, regarding the news trends across 8 major publications in the country. This report will pay particular attention to the news trends since March 15th to April 30th 2021, when the country was reeling under heavy pandemic. These observations do have limitations which will be noted and are based on total numbers of stories categorised by different sectors. India is experiencing a devastating wave Of COVID-19. The spread of COVID-19 in India was initially characterized by fewer cases and lower case fatality rates compared with numbers in many developed countries, primarily due to a stringent lockdown and a demographic dividend. However, economic constraints forced a staggered lockdown exit strategy, resulting in a spike in COVID-19 cases. This factor, coupled with low spending on health as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), created mayhem because of inadequate numbers of hospital beds and ventilators and a lack of medical personnel, especially in the public health sector. Nevertheless, technological advances, supported by a strong research base, helped contain the damage resulting from the pandemic.In the second wave of COVID-19, India has lost 269 doctors so far while another 748 had died in the first wave itself. The second wave of the pandemic in the country has led to a short-term setback mostly affecting the blue-collar jobs and the gig or temporary workers especially in the retail, hospitality, aviation and construction industry.

3. Contents 1. Media Analysis of news trends in India & Publications targeted 1 2. Major Trends 2 - 6 COVID-19 2 Assembly Polls 3 Farmers’ Protest 4 Real Estate 4 - 5 Education 5 Sports 5 - 6 3. Major trends according to specific media publications 7 - 8 4. Total numbers of news according to each publication (Print Media) 9 5. Major news flashed across different publications 10 - 11 6. Real Estate news 12

4. 1 Media Analysis of news trends in India The Indian media platforms, be it print, online, digital or social kept providing credible news and information to the citizens of the country when they most needed it without letting fear affect them amid the global pandemic. The global pandemic presented us with monumental challenges not only as individuals, businesses, but as a society. Several news trends accelerated their trajectory, fed by smooth functioning of print media and growth in online services possible were through internet and smart devices i.e. smartphones, tablets, laptops etc. Sanjay Gupta, Chairman of FICCI Media and Entertainment Committee recently stated that “Today content creation and storytelling are much more diverse and come from all parts of the country. New distribution models and monetization strategies are evolving across both large and small screens.” Publications Targetted 1. The Hindu 2. The Indian Express 3. The Times of India 4. Hindustan Times 5. Business Standard 6. Hindustan 7. Amar Ujala 8. The Economic Times

5. 2 Major Trends 1. COVID-19 – More than 15 countries including the US, Russia, France and the United Kingdom rushed critical emergency use equipment to enable India counter the COVID-19’s deadly second wave. Ministry of External Affairs announced that several countries are sending hundreds of oxygen concentrators, respirators and large quantities of liquid oxygen to help India at this hour of the pandemic. The Delhi High Court announced that it will take up court proceedings through virtual mode from April 9 to April 23. India became the first country in the world to report over 4 lakh new cases on April 30, 2021. (60% according to media presence) A devastating second wave of coronavirus in India has seen hospitals and crematoriums overwhelmed and widespread shortages of oxygen and medicines. India has confirmed more than 18 million infections and 200,000 deaths and the virologists said that they expect the rate of infections to continue to increase for another two to three weeks. Hospitals across India are also experiencing oxygen shortages, with some forced to put up signs warning of a lack of supplies. War of words erupts between the Central government and several state governments such as Delhi & Maharashtra government over oxygen supply Source – John Hopkins University, data upto 29th April

6. 3 2. Assembly Polls – 69 seats spread across West Bengal and Assam will go to the polls on April 1 and campaigning to continue in other parts of West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry. Involvement of Supreme Court in election rallies, violence in and Mamata Banerjee getting injured during the election campaign in the state (15% according to media presence) West Bengal CM and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee declared that all her public meetings stand cancelled and she will address rallies virtually for the remaining two phases of the Bengal assembly elections. The Election Commission banned roadshows, bike/cycle rallies for the remainder of the West Bengal assembly polls in light of the second wave of Covid-19 infections. Election Commission also restricted the number allowed to attend a public meeting to 500. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also cancelled the rallies in West Bengal to chair COVID-19 meetings in Delhi. A voter turnout of 79.09 per cent was recorded in the sixth phase of the West Bengal assembly polls. Voting for the 234-seat Tamil Nadu assembly was held on April 6 in a single phase. It was being reported that the BJP is expected to retain power in Assam as nearly all pollsters predicted a clear majority for the saffron party in the 126-member Assembly. Picture Credits – Hindustan Times

7. 4 3. Farmers’ Protests - The farmers’ protest has not seen any abatement as the farmer unions majorly including Samyukta Kisan Morcha announced fresh plans, including a march to Parliament from all all border points of the capital. (5% according to media presence) Several borders of Delhi with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh continued to remain closed for traffic movement due to the ongoing farmers’ protest against the three new farm laws. Urging the Central government to end the deadlock in the ongoing farmers’ protest, renowned intellectuals from across the country wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union agriculture minister Narendra Tomar to invite the farmers for dialogue immediately. The last meeting between farmers and the Union government on the controversial farm laws was held on January 22nd 2021. Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij wrote a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar urging him to resume talks with farmers protesting against the Centre's farm laws as the coronavirus scare looms large. Picture Credits – PTI 4. Real estate - The second wave of COVID-19 has put brakes on the recovery of the real estate sector as several real estate developers stated that sales have started falling since April and the situation is likely to worsen if the situation does not improve. (5% according to media presence) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintained the policy rate at 4% and voted unanimously to keep the status quo with an accommodating stance.

8. 5 Several real estate developers stated that RBI maintained the status quo on key policy rates at its recent monetary policy review meeting, which was in line with expectations. Picture Credits – The Indian Express 5. Education - Class 10 and 12 exams were postponed due to the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases in the country but no decision on cancellation was announced. (8% according to media presence) Due to the steep rise in coronavirus cases across the country, the Central government decided to cancel CBSE Class 10 Board exams 2021 and also decided to postpone the CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2021. Following the decision from the CBSE, other state boards have also postponed class 12 and cancelled class 10 exams. Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Education had also announced last week that the board will develop an objective criterion for the assessment of the students. Indian National Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra wrote a letter to Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank asking to cancel the CBSE board exams 2021. 6. Sports – In the sports genre, good amount of coverage was recorded over online & print media. An absence of live sports during last year result is led to a phenomenal rebound in sports readership, all thanks to England tour of India followed by IPL. (7% according to media presence) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indefinitely postponed the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 after several players and support staff tested positive for COVID- 19.

9. 6 Picture Credits – The Indian Express In major publications like – Business Standard & The Economic Times, several economic and financial news trends were observed such as RBI repo rate, foreign investment, Amazon India announcing $250 million venture for start-ups etc

10. 7 Major trends according to specific media publications The Hindu The Indian Express COVID-19 COVID-19 7% 8% 8% Farmers' Protest Assembly Polls Sports Assembly Polls Sports 10% 8% 15% 60% 60% 15% Farmers' Protest Miscellaneous 10% 65% Miscellaneous Hindustan Times The Times of India COVID-19 COVID-19 7% 14% 8% Assembly Polls Farmers' Protest Sports Assemby Polls 6% 9% Farmers' Protest Sports 8% 58% 61% 10% 14% Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

11. 8 Hindustan Business Standard COVID-19 COVID-19 8% 8% Assembly Poll 12% 30% 20% Economy & Public Affairs Finance Farmers' Protest Sports 10% 60% 10% Miscellaneous 42% Miscellaneous Amar Ujala The Economic Times COVID-19 COVID-19 10% 12% Assembly Polls Farmers' Protest Sports 8% Economy & Public Affairs Finance 20% 40% 7% 60% 13% Miscellaneous 30% 20% Miscellaneous NOTE – Miscellaneous used in Doughnuts includes major sectors such as education, banking, real estate etc.

12. 9 Total numbers of news according to each publication (Print Media) (News including various sectors and industries) 1. The Hindu - 4.8k+ news 2. The Indian Express - 5.8k+ news 3. The Times of India - 5.6k+ news 4. Hindustan Times - 5.1k+ news 5. Business Standard - 3.8k+ news 6. Hindustan - 5.2k+ news 7. Amar Ujala - 4.6k+ news 8. The Economic Times - 3.1k+ news

13. 10 Major news flashed across the publications

14. 11

15. 12 Real Estate News According to JLL’s Capital Markets Update Q1 2021, Indian real estate sector attracted USD 922 million of investments in Q1, 2021 Noida authority allotted 60,000 square metre institutional plot to Microsoft India (R&D) Pvt ltd at the premium of Rs 103.66 crore Maharashtra’s state government decision to roll back stamp duty cut from April 1 has led to a 50% drop in property registrations and stamp duty revenue in Greater Mumbai this month compared to March The new SBI home loan rates start from 6.95% from April 1, compared to 6.7% till March 31, 2021 as the industry experts stated that other lenders could soon follow suit and hike their lending rates for floating-rate loans Even after a decade, wait for a roof still far cry for Jaypee Infratech homebuyers as the Apex court has sent case back to lenders, allowing previous two bidders to furnish revised plan The government-backed construction company - National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) - has sought from the Supreme Court four weeks more to assess whether it needs to submit a fresh and modified resolution plan to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for the construction of 17,000 flats in Wish Town RBI Monetary Policy, Unchanged repo rate to boost demand, say real estate experts Alpha corporation to invest Rs 1000 crore in reviving ten stuck projects in NCR Demolition drive didn’t pay off, illegal construction still rampant in DLF 1 & 5 DDA plans round-II to make East Delhi lake recreation hub Homebuyers in affordable project protest (OSB Expressway Towers) over delays Blackstone chief commits $5 million aid to India Anarock stated that COVID-19 will impact housing sales in major cities in April-June quarter Note - Around 200 news were reported in media publications from March 15th to April 30th 2020

16. Disclaimer - This report is published for general information only and not to be relied upon in any way. Although high standards have been used in the preparation of the information, analysis, views and projections presented in this report, no responsibility or liability whatsoever can be accepted by ICCPL for any loss or damage resultant from any use of, reliance on or reference to the contents of this document. As a general report, this material does not necessarily represent the views of ICCPL’s relation to particular media houses or publications.