The Indian Newspaper Society (INS), Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA), and Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI) have all unambiguously stated that the Indian media and entertainment (M&E) sector is competitive enough that there is no need to monitor cross-media ownership and control.
A single approach to managing ownership of print, television, radio, and other Internet-based news media is not necessary, according to the IBDF, NBDA, INS, and AROI, which represent TV broadcasting, print media, and FM radio firms.
The industry associations responded with these comments in response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) consultation paper on media ownership after being referred to by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Concerning the need, nature, and degree of safeguards in the broadcasting and distribution sectors as well as cross-ownerships across other media sectors, the TRAI has requested comments and opinions from stakeholders.
enough diversity in the M&E sector in India
According to the IBDF, since consumers have so many options now, there is no need to regulate cross-media ownership and management. In reality, they assert, there are now more content sources than ever before thanks to new media and new vehicles inside each medium since 2014.
There are 909 TV channels, 386 private FM radio stations, 1,46,756 registered publications, over 40 digital content platforms, and more than 2100 digital news platforms in India, according to industry and TRAI data (apart from news on traditional media).
The IBDF asserts that the abundance of TV channels, newspapers, radio stations, and digital platforms guarantees that customers have a wide range of options in the market.
According to the IBDF, the sector already has well-established self-regulatory and grievance redressal organisations in place, such as the BCCC, DMCRC, NBSA, and ASCI.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), among others, are sufficient authorities/bodies, according to the NBDA, to control ownership of print, television, radio, and other internet-based news media.
The INS argued that there is no gap in the legal oversight of Indian news media and that there are strict regulations to protect the diversity of opinions in the face of low ownership concentration as well as a strict appeals process.
AROI noted that the media industry already has extensive self-regulation procedures in place for content.
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