News associations tell TRAI there is no need for a mechanism to monitor cross-media ownership

Associations representing news organisations have "unequivocally" said there is no need for a mechanism to monitor cross-media ownership and control, exchange4media reported today.

The comments were made by the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation, News Broadcasters and Digital Association, Indian Newspaper Society, and Association of Radio Operators in response to the a consultation paper on media ownership by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

In April, TRAI had sought suggestions from stakeholders on the need to monitor cross-media ownership and control. It asked, "Should there be a common mechanism to monitor ownership of print, television, radio, or other internet-based news media?"

Cross-media ownership, quite simply, means ownership of multiple media businesses by a single corporation or person. Horizontal ownership is across segments like print, TV and radio, while vertical ownership arises when a broadcasting company that owns a TV channel also controls distributors like cable networks, or vice versa. Countries like the US and UK have in place restrictions on cross-media ownership.

According to exchange4media, the NBDA said a proposed restraint on cross-media holdings would be "an attempt to regulate the business activities and freedom of speech and expression of the media". The IBDF said there are already "regulations in the existing legal framework which have controls on ownership".

All four bodies also said India already has sufficient regulatory mechanisms.

It must be pointed out that TRAI is merely a regulatory body and it can, at best, make suggestions.