What are the proposed amendments to rules for TV rating agencies by the I&B Ministry?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B Ministry) has proposed amendments to the rules governing TV rating agencies to enhance transparency and reliability in television viewership data. The key proposed changes are:

• Registration Requirement: All TV rating agencies must register with the Ministry to operate legally.
• Composition of Board: Agencies must have a board with independent members to ensure unbiased operations.
• Data Transparency: Agencies are required to publicly disclose their methodologies for data collection and analysis.
• Grievance Redressal: Establishment of a robust mechanism to address complaints from stakeholders.
• Audit and Compliance: Mandatory regular audits by third-party agencies to verify data integrity.
• Penalties: Strict penalties for manipulation or misreporting of data.

These amendments aim to restore credibility and trust in TV viewership ratings.