‘Indian media market controlled by powerful few’

NEW DELHI (AA): Even as India treasures to be one of world’s biggest media market, it is dominated by a powerful few, with strong political links, claims a study. 

A report released by a Delhi-based research group, Data Leads, in collaboration with Paris-based organization, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), on Wednesday stated that the media ownership in India was concentrated in a handful of people. The arrangement, thus, runs the risk of developing a symbiotic relationship with business and politics, rather performing functions of a watchdog. 

The report titled “Media Ownership Monitor (MoM) India” noted that India has 118,239 publications besides 880 satellite TV channels. The first newspaper in the region — Bengal Gazette – began its publication in 1780.

“This project serves as a useful data and resource base for future media research in the country,” said Syed Nazakat, founder CEO of the Data Leads.

Of 118,239 publications registered with the Registrar of Newspapers, 36,000 are weekly publications, while 17,160 are daily newspapers.

Besides, there are over 550 FM radio stations in the country and 880 satellite TV channels. As many as 380 television channels broadcast only news and current affairs.

“The number of news websites operating in India is simply unfathomable,” the report said.

The report, however, said this vast amount of media outlets does not translate into reflecting country’s variety of cultural and ethnic richness. In contrast, they are mostly used to control content and public opinion.

“The Media Ownership Monitor indicates rather the opposite — a significant trend towards concentration and, ultimately, control of content and public opinion,” the report noted.

– 26,750 individuals own publications

The report said that most of the leading media companies are owned by large conglomerates — owned by business families — who have investments in a vast array of industries, other than media.

“Some of the leading outlets are controlled by individuals with political ties. The majority of the media companies have business and political affiliations,” the report added.

It also found that as many as 118,239 publications are owned by 26,750 individuals, 2,084 joint stock companies, 1,283 societies, trusts, firms and government.

The report identified Odisha TV in the western state of Odisha as owned by the Panda Family. “Baijayant Jay Panda is the national vice president and spokesperson of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party [BJP].”

Similarly, in the northeastern state of Assam, Riniki Bhuyan Sarma who owns the television station NewsLive, is the wife of Himanta Biswa Sarma, a powerful politician belonging to the ruling BJP.

“These are just a few examples of convergence of politics and media. The resulting interdependence between media, business and politics presents a high risk to media freedom and pluralism in India,” the report added.

Even though the country has vast network of private FMs, they cannot produce news and current affairs. Only the government-owned All India Radio is authorized to relay news.

The private broadcasters can only provide music and entertainment.