COPA told current rating system of television channels is not correct

The current rating system of television channels in the country is not correct , Anusha Palpita, Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media told a Parliament Overisght Committee while pointing out that the rating system of television channels is not correct and it is done in an irregular and biased manner.

He stated the above at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) held recently (25) to look into the
Auditor Generals reports of the Government Information Department for 2019, 2020 and 2021 and
the examination of the current performance. The Committee was Chaired by Lasantha
Alagiyawanna.

Speaking further, Mr. Anusha Palpita mentioned that in order to calculate the rating, a device is
installed in about 400 randomly selected TV sets for the purpose of collecting data, according to statement issued by the Committee. 

He also pointed out that three major media organizations have bought about 300 television sets equipped with these devices by giving money to the institutions that performed the calculations and because of this the data received is inaccurate.

He also mentioned that since there is more responsibility for the state media than the private media
organizations, it is not possible to work with the motives of rising in the ranks of channel ratings.