Ministry sets up panel to review TRP system

The union government today constituted a seven-member committee headed by Amit Mitra, general secretary of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, to suggest an improved and ''robust'' television rating point (TRP) mechanism.

The committee is mandated to review the existing TRP system in India and suggest measures to bring in place an effective mechanism for a transparent TRP system. It will submit its report within three months from the date of its first meeting, an official statement by the information and broadcasting ministry said.

The move comes a week after I&Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni made an announcement on the issue.

Other members of the committee include documentary film maker Rajiv Mehrotra, journalist Neeraja Choudhary, D S Mathur (retired secretary in the government of India), the directors of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad and the Indian Statistical Institute (Kolkata) and the joint secretary (broadcasting) in the I&B ministry.

The decision to form the committee came amid widespread criticism in Parliament about the monopolisation of the TRP system by certain private agencies. The concern was over the presence of only two agencies in this process; and rheir judging the popularity of TV programmes through a limited people's meter for measuring TRP.

The committee will address issues related to accuracy, accountability, transparency and objectivity in the generation of TRPs. It will also examine as to how misleading TRPs can not only impact broadcasters and advertisers but more importantly the viewing public, the statement said.