Five released in ratings operation in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Police also collected piles of documents in raids on more than 20 businesses under the ratings operation in Istanbul.

Three people, who were taken into custody and sent to court as part of a media rating investigation in Istanbul, have been released. Another two suspects were also freed by the public prosecutor without having to appear in court.

The suspects included a former employee of the AGB rating measurement company O.K, and producer S.Ç.

 The raids targeted the offices of numerous production firms as well as the AGB Nielsen Company, which measures ratings. They were all part of an investigation launched following a complaint from the state-owned broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) for alleged tampering with television ratings. 
The suspects are accused of giving gifts to television viewers with measurement devices to keep the ratings of particular shows high.