TRP row: MVA allies laud police action, ad world in favour of probe

MUMBAI: The Mumbai police's presser on manipulation of TRP ratings drew reactions from across the political spectrum and the advertising industry. The NCP tweeted on its handle, "Mumbai Police has blown the lid off a fake TRP racket. In this matter, the names of two channels other than Republic TV have surfaced prominently, Mumbai Police Commissioner Parambir Singh to media persons.
The police has informed that TRP points are being manipulated to provide monetary benefits on a large scale. The owners of two channels Fakt Marathi and Box Cinema have been arrested and certain officials have been served summons, said Parambir Singh."
Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut said, "Mumbai police commissioner held a press conference just now saying inter alia that Republic TV purchased TRPs. Asatyamev Jayate!"
State BJP president Chandrakant Patil said that rather than take a presser, the Mumbai police commissioner should initiate action. "Whoever is at fault should be arrested. Rather than taking press conferences, the police should do their work," Patil told mediapersons.
A ripple effect was visible in the ad world. Industrialist Rajiv Bajaj said to a business channel, "I strongly believe that a strong brand is a foundation on which you build a business. Bajaj as a brand has blacklisted three channels for advertising for some time." He said the brand does not endorse toxicity and hate-mongering in society.
The Advertising Standards Council of India stated, "Right now we need to allow the investigation to take place. Manipulation of data is a matter of investigation," said spokesperson Subhash Kamath.