CASRO Comes Out Against FAIR Ratings Act

The Council of American Survey Organisations (CASRO) has announced its support for self-regulation in the media ratings industry. It states that the proposed FAIR Ratings Act, which would require Media Ratings Council (MRC) accreditation of TV ratings services before launch, is too restrictive of business development.

The statement comes amid the controversy surrounding Nielsen's use of Portable People Meters (PPMs) to measure TV audience figures. Supporters of the FAIR Ratings Act, introduced by Senator Burns, argue that the MRC has insufficient authority over the introduction of such audience measurement systems, while opponents point out that the MRC already has considerable review and auditing authority over these processes.

CASRO's Government and Public Affairs (GPA) Director, Jim Robinson (from Robinson & Muenster Associates) is clear that increased regulation is not the solution, and says the organisation believes that 'the industry and the MRC should resolve current disagreements without further government mandates'.

CASRO's web site is at www.casro.org .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.