Restrict Political Parties, Corporate From Media Ownership: TRAI

In order to determine concentration TRAI has given three metrics - volume of consumption, reach and revenue of the media house.

"We would look at the market and see if the TV media is concentrated or the print media is concentrated and if there is concentration in both and one particular person has more than 32 percent share... Then, sorry, that guy has to dilute equity in either TV or print," he added.

TRAI has recommended a rule based on Herfindahl Hirschman Index (HHI) be implemented.

"If the television as well as newspaper markets are concentrated (HHI> 1800 in each), then, an entity contributing more than 1000 to the HHI of the television market, cannot contribute more than 1000 towards HHI in the newspaper market as well, and vice-versa. If it does so, it will have to dilute its control in one of the two segments," TRAI said in its recommendation.

HHI of 1,000 is almost equal to 32 percent.

It further added that all mergers and acquisitions in the sector will be permitted only to the extent that the rule based on HHI is not breached.

On the issue of paid news, Khullar said that in such instances both the parties including media firm should be held liable.

"Liability should be on the both the parties in such case," he said.

On "paid news", TRAI said that both media organisation and persons like an MP or MLA paying for favourable news should be held liable and not only the politician.

However, TRAI has kept online media and FM radio out of the purview because of low penetration. However, Khullar said that the moment it takes prominence, "we would add it".
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