This piece argues that both the government and the media in India are reluctant to address crucial issues arising from ownership concentration. While the proposed clauses on ownership in the Broadcast Bill 2007 reflect a failure to adequately address underlying concerns, the media has opposed regulation arguing that it will make the industry financially unsustainable and has cited inaccurate examples of deregulation from the West in its support. The paper argues that as a result, public interest is neglected and the ownership of Indian media becomes ever more concentrated.

This piece regrets the laziness and lack of will on the part of the government and its regulators when it comes to the media sector as a result of which monopolies have become entrenched over the last few decades. It details the recent steps taken by the I&B ministry and TRAI in this regard and shows the various problems with the consultation paper on issues relating media ownership.

This is a good summary of the ASCI report suggesting the imposition of cross-ownership restrictions and other regulatory measures. It describes the differing positions taken by the I&B Ministry, TRAI and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT, and believes that this debate is far from concluded in India.

Discussion of the cross-media ownership restrictions proposed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, and what effect it is likely to have on freedom of expression and media pluralism.

This chart contains details about the ownership of 6 Indian media outlets: Zee News, Network 18, Hindustan Times, Deccan Chronicle, NDTV and the Sun group.

The Report argues in favour of an “appropriate” regulatory framework to enforce cross-media ownership restrictions, especially in regional media markets.

The Consultation Paper can be downloaded from the TRAI official website.  

The Consultation Paper can be downloaded from the TRAI official website. 

The Report can be downloaded from the PRS Legislative Research official website.

The Report can be downloaded from the Lok Sabha Standing Committee official website. 

The Report can be downloaded from the PRS Legislative Research official website.

OneWorld South Asia interviews Ms. Iskra Panevska, Adviser for Communication and Information, UNESCO, South Asia about rural voices and media pluralism.