Restrict Political Parties, Corporate From Media Ownership: TRAI

The regulator even suggested that even surrogates of such entities "should be barred from entering into the sector".

TRAI has suggested enactment of a new legislation through a executive decision for it. It has also suggested that an exit route option should be provided in case permission to any such organisations have already been granted.

In the recommendations, TRAI relies heavily on media articles and TV documentaries to illustrate how political parties own channels in various states and how they and newspapers black out news that are adverse to their interests.

TRAI has recommended a single independent media regulatory authority - headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and comprising predominantly of eminent non-media persons - for TV and print media to check and impose penalties for "paid news", "private treaties" and issues related to "editorial independence".

The proposed regulator would have powers to probe and impose penalties, if the media houses are found guilty for being on the wrong side.

"The media regulator would be looking at and deciding all the complaints. It would be adjudicating with admonishing an punishing powers," Khullar said.

On cross holding, he said an owner cannot hold more than 32 percent in both electronic and print media if they are concentrated.
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