Indian Government Plans To Restrict Cross-holding In Media

Business Standard: The information and broadcasting ministry is considering cross-holding equity restrictions in the media. This means, a newspaper company will not be allowed to hold the entire equity in a television or a radio broadcasting company and vice versa. Also, a television broadcaster will not be able to own the whole of a cable distribution company. At present, similar cross-holding restrictions exist in direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, wherein a broadcaster can hold only up to 20 per cent in a DTH company.
A detailed policy framework to this effect will be worked out soon and will be taken to the Union Cabinet for its consideration. The exact holding restrictions will then be worked out. According to a senior information and broadcasting ministry functionary, the proposed policy will include not only the broadcasting companies but also print media companies.

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