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