The issue of cross media ownership will be again examined by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) at the instance of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry which has sought an examination of the issue. Information and broadcasting Secretary Uday Kumar Varma has written to new TRAI chairman Rahul Khullar on May 16th in this regard.


Information and broadcasting Ministry has asked TRAI to look into both horizontal and vertical aspects of cross media

ownership, and then give its recommendations. In his letter,Mr.

Varma has written that at present companies have control and

ownership across Print, TV and Radio leading to horizontal

integration.While at present there is no restriction for a company to have ownership across Radio, TV and Print mediums, but

apprehension have been expressed in the past that control of

media organisations in a few hands may prevent plurality of

news and views.He is also learnt to have said that

there were other implications related to cross media ownership
including ensuring quality services at reasonable prices.