New Delhi:  Major broadcasting bodies today stuck to their "no government intervention" stand in the area of Television Rating Points (TRP).

Broadcasters like Zee Network, TV Today, ETV, and research bodies like TAM Media Research, along with Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) president Roop Sharma, participated here in an open house discussion on the consultation paper titled, "Policy Guidelines for TRP", issued recently by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

Keeping in line with their comments posted on TRAI's website in response to the consultation paper, the broadcasters reiterated their stand of no government intervention in TRP.

Apart from this there were diverse views given by participants, ranging from seeking consumers participation in TRP measurement, to reiteration of level playing field in the sector for both broadcasters and government.

The discussion was moderated by TRAI chairman Nripendra Misra and was attended by CEO Zee Telefilms Ltd, Pradeep Guha, LV Krishnan CEO of TAM Media Research, COFI president Roop Sharma, among others.

Earlier in their response to the consultation paper the stakeholders had given varied suggestions but were unanimous on not having any government intervention in the business of monitoring TRPs.

TAM, the rating agency had said that instead of intervening, "it should help the industry by relaxing the customs duty on peoplemeter-a device that captures the viewership data, and enforce strict laws to ensure confidentiality of panel homes (where this device is installed)".

Source : PTI