New Delhi: The News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA), in a press release on Thursday, said that it stands by the recent stand of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), whereby the MIB has recognized the need for reform and has acknowledged the shortcomings. And the need to increase sample size and increase system improvement has been emphasized.
At the same time, NBDA also appreciates the reforms being taken in BARC India to further strengthen the processes, protocols and monitoring mechanism. NBDA has also expressed happiness that the government has taken note of the suggestions made while acknowledging the shortcomings in the rating system for TV news. At the same time, NBDA has described the decisions taken by the BARC board to allow induction of independent members, reconstitution of technical committee, setting up of permanent inspection committee, as steps taken in the right direction.
Notably, after the Mumbai Police exposed the TRP scam in October 2020, NBDA advised BARC India to make major changes in its system before releasing TV news ratings.
In this press release, NBDA has written that- We propose to set up a Joint Working Group under the chairmanship of Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati to study the potential of leveraging Return Path Data (RPD) from set top boxes. Focus on the decision. We look forward to working with you on this important issue of RPD. We hope this will ensure that the data collected to measure viewership is more authentic and real-time.
NBDA recognizes that while several reforms are being carried out in BARC, there is still scope to make the system more transparent, robust and reliable. BARC should also evaluate ways to enhance data security and ensure that there is no human intervention at any stage of the rating process.
The NBDA has written at the end of this press release – These measures are expected to be implemented before any rating is issued. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to refine external policy to eliminate statistical anomalies and increase sample size to strengthen data reliability.”
first published:Jan. 13, 2022, 7:29 p.m.
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