Senator Pushes for Arbitron Investigation

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has called for a 'thorough investigation' into Arbitron's Portable People Meter (PPM), following the revelation that the firm's CEO Michael Skarzynski had apparently 'provided false testimony' to a committee of the national legislature last month.

News of Skarzynski's resignation broke earlier in the week, when it was alleged that he had told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that the ratings giant was ramping up training for those who use its PPM, and then falsely claimed to have attended a focus group which dealt with this training.

Menendez said he found the Skarzynski matter 'deeply troubling', and has called for a thorough investigation into the methodology behind the audio tracking PPM device, which is claimed to undercount minority radio listeners. He has been pushing for an FCC investigation into the PPM since late 2008.

Menendez said in a statement: 'I have long been concerned about the propensity for the PPM methodology to misrepresent the listenership of minority-owned and minority-focused stations. These stations are vital sources of information and culture for minority communities, but they cannot withstand the drastic reductions in revenue stemming from flawed PPM ratings.'

He added that the matter must be thoroughly investigated to ensure that Congress was not intentionally misinformed, and that appropriate action must be taken based on the findings.

Menendez pledged his commitment to ensuring that Arbitron adopts an 'accurate ratings system' which is fair to all radio stations.

A year ago, Arbitron settled lawsuits filed by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, who had both claimed that the firm's PPM ratings misrepresent minority listenership.

Since then, a number of organizations have criticized the PPM, and the House of Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chairman met in December to consider the device's 'effect on diversity in radio broadcasting'.

Web site: www.arbitron.com .

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

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