MANILA, Philippines -- India's oldest and largest news network has accused The Nielsen Co. of manipulating viewership data in favor of broadcasters that are willing to provide bribes to its officials, several media outfits reported on Monday.
New Delhi Television Ltd. (NDTV) filed the 194-page lawsuit in New York County Supreme Court on July 26, accusing Nielsen of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as the Dutch Corporate Governance Code.
"Viewership data is deliberately changed and/or manipulated with corrupt/dishonest intentions/motives," NDTV said in its lawsuit.
"The acts of viewership data manipulation are clearly malicious and undertaken with the active collusion, awareness, gross and willful negligence and reckless disregard of the top management of the defendants."
NDTV, which produced India’s first 24-hour news channel “Star News,” said it is being hurt by the manipulated ratings.
