Media ownership rules in the age of internet

The rapid consolidation in the Indian media industry has again caused a debate on the regulation of cross-media ownership. While the number of channels for entertainment and information have increased, control of these channels still lies with a handful of entities.

Large business groups have presence in multiple forms of media, from print, television broadcasting, FM radio to even direct to home (DTH) distribution platforms. Concern arises as to whether there is a need for regulation of ownership because of the lack of plurality of opinions in the media. We examine the current regulations on ownership of media in the country and evaluate the need for implementing further laws regulating such ownership in the age of internet.

Currently, there is no central legislation on the issue; ownership parameters are set by multiple executive orders issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). While there has been significant liberalisation of foreign direct investment (FDI) caps on investment in media services such as broadcasting, there are still restrictions on vertical integration, ownership of companies along the same value chain.

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is India’s largest full-service law firm. Bharat Vasani is a partner at the firm. He was assisted by Sanskriti Sidana, an associate.