Law

TRAI Consultation Paper on “Issues Relating to Media Ownership”

Media pluralism is the founding stone on which the fourth pillar of democracy rests. The idea of media pluralism acts as a bulwark of a strong and healthy democracy in a country. Media pluralism is antithetical to the phenomenon of concentration of media ownership. The concentration of media ownership may restrict the ‘Freedom of Speech and Expression’ as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India. The core idea is the active citizenry, which is the foundation of democracy, and therefore requires presence of diverse voices and perspectives in public debates. The concentration of media ownership impacts the independence of the fourth estate.

advtanmoy 14/04/2022 2 minutes read

In terms of specific modalities, concentration of media ownership leads to reduction in the number of sources of news and information which undermines the quality of public debate by reducing the number of perspectives and ideas that fuel it. The anomalies caused by media concentration are analysed in two areas: cross-media ownership and vertical integration.

New Delhi, 12th April 2022 – The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released a Consultation Paper on “Issues Relating to Media Ownership”.

Consultation Paper No. 04/2022

12th April 2022

Media being the fourth pillar of democracy, performs a vital role in the personification of the constitutional goals and aspirations. Considering the importance of media in implementing the constitutional precept of freedom of speech and expression in letter and spirit, TRAI has sent its various recommendations to the government on issues relating to media ownership. The last of such recommendations was sent on 12.08.2014.

The Authority has received a reference from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeking reconsideration of its 2014 Recommendations and issuance of a fresh set of recommendations in the light of the emerging changes in the media and entertainment industry, particularly with the advent of new digital technologies such as Over-the-top platforms (OTT).

The Consultation Paper seeks views of the stakeholders on need, nature, and levels of safeguards with respect to issues relating to media ownership, particularly cross-media ownership and vertical integration in the broadcasting sector.

Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by 10th May, 2022 and countercomments, if any, by 24th May, 2022. The comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form to Shri Anil Kumar Bhardwaj, Advisor (B&CS), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, at Email id advbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs2@trai.gov.in(Tel No.+91-11-23237922). Comments/countercomments will be posted on the TRAI’s website http://www.trai.gov.in.