Home Ministry opposes hiking FDI cap in media

22 Jul 2013 Evaluate

On the grounds of potential threat to country’s security, the Home Ministry has strongly opposed any move to increase the FDI cap in the broadcasting and print media. Apprehending 'undue' influence by big global players, the Home Ministry strongly favours control of media houses by Indians, and is of the view that opening up of current affairs TV channels, newspapers and periodicals dealing with news and current affairs may lead to meddling in India’s domestic affairs and politics.

The Ministry also fears that increase of FDI in broadcasting and print media may also allow foreign players to launch propaganda campaign during any national crisis as well as when interests of any particular country is harmed through any government decision.

Further, it feels that big foreign media players with vested interests may try to fuel fire during internal or external disturbances and also can encourage political instability in the country through their publications or broadcasting outlets.

It was basically after Home Ministry's strong objections that a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on July 16, did not clear the Commerce Ministry's proposal for increasing FDI in broadcasting and print media to 49% through automatic route. Currently, the sectoral cap for FDI in FM radio, uplinking news and current affairs TV channels and in print media is 26 per cent and the Commerce Ministry has proposed to raise it to 49 per cent through the automatic route.

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