MEDIA FIGHTS BACK AGAINST RATINGS

Maharaja on the front foot; Derana on the fence; Hiru runs for cover

 

 

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2014

A recent meeting held at the Media Ministry on TV ratings was believed by many to be unprecedented in recent history. 

While the Media Minister and the Media Secretary spoke on ways of resolving the issue, senior members of the maharaja organization launched a brutal assault on the rating system that left the Hiru CEO unable to come up with a single word. 

Observers at the meeting wathced as network chiefs including Chevaan Daniel & Nedra Weeerasinghe shared their views powerfully. Daniel called for an immediate suspecnsion of the system while Weerasinge argued that no amount of fixing the existing system would help. Deranas Wikramage said that their ratings were good, but the sample size should be looked at. The Hiru TV CEO however, when asked to comment, could not utter a word and looked defeated maybe after the Maharaja attack. 

The Media Minister Keheliya rambukwella however stern and led the meeting from the front. He stressed the need to ensure that ratings were fair and the system was foolproof. 

Media Secretary Charitha Herath meanwhile was also in a bouyant mood and opined that if there was any question on the trustworthiness of ratings, they would cause huge damage to the industry.