Media ownership issue: Trai to release report soon

NEW DELHI: The open house on media ownership today found the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) being criticised by media houses who wanted orderly growth in the sector to be ensured by working collectively with established institutions like Competition Commission of India(CCI), Securities and Exchange Board of India and Monopolies Restrictive Trade Practices Act.

The open house, which was the final meet before Trai finalises its second paper on media ownership issues, saw the presence of a large number of representatives from major media houses along with their legal representatives.

The meet was also attended by a large number of cable operators, multi-satellite operators and even consumers.

Trai chairman Rahul Khullar advised caution to the media houses, assuring them that the regulator was taking their views seriously and would compile its report keeping differing points in view.

He said that Trai had earlier issued a paper on this issue, but the government had again asked it to study the issue in the light of the fast changing scenario, and in the light of a report on the subject prepared by the Administrative Staff College of India in Hyderabad.

Principal advisors N Parameshwaran, Anuradha Mitra and Wasi Ahmed and secretary Rajeev Agrawal were present.

Some of the consumers and representatives of resident welfare associations also expressed their views. They generally said the lines had blurred between the different segments of the media and this had to be corrected.
 
One speaker felt that there was need to ensure that there is no conflict of interest or curbing principles of natural justice or restrictive trade practice. Norms should be created so that all resources are not cartalised in the interest of fair play and competition.

It was also emphasised by the consumers that self-regulation had failed and the government should step in to correct the balance.

A Trai official who did not want to be named said that following this meet, the regulator was expected to finalise its report in a couple of weeks.