The rating system of television channels is incorrect and it is done in an irregular and biased manner, Mass Media Ministry Secretary Anusha Palpita said.

He said this at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) meeting held recently (25) to look into the Auditor General’s reports of the Government Information Department for 2019, 2020 and 2021 and the examination of the current performance. The Committee was chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

Speaking further, Mr. Palpita said that in order to calculate the rating, a device is installed in about 400 randomly selected TV sets for the purpose of collecting data.

He pointed out that three major media organizations have bought about 300 television sets equipped with these devices by giving money to the institutions that performed the calculations and because of this the data received is inaccurate.

Since there is more responsibility for the state media than the private media organizations, he said that it is not possible for them to work with the motive of getting their ranks increased.

The matter concerning the media accreditation cards for journalists was also discussed and the Committee further discussed the preparation of a system for evaluating journalists who contribute to providing news more actively.

Furthermore, the current functioning of 18 functions which were stated as the main objectives of this department were also discussed. A discussion at length was held about the preparation of a systematic programme to provide local information to foreign countries and foreign information to the people of Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions were also held regarding the negative tape machine and the positive tape machine with an obsolete technology purchased from France at a cost of Rs.108 million rupees. The officials pointed out that this machine was purchased in 1999 and this technology is outdated.

The officials pointed out that this machine has not been used even once and it cannot be sold for iron as it is made of Cheenachatti.

Furthermore, a discussion was held about making the Independent Television Network and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation profitable, and regarding the action plan of the Government Information Department and its progress.