The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has recently shared the revised shareholding pattern and the names of the proposed new directors of NDTV with the Ministry of Home Affairs for security clearance.
This development comes after the Adani Group acquired a controlling stake of 64.71% in NDTV last year. As per the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India, 2022, NDTV had informed the Ministry about the change in its shareholding pattern.
According to the Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur’s written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Home Affairs is still waiting to grant security clearance for the proposed new directors. NDTV had also submitted details of the proposed new directors to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for approval.
The move to seek security clearance for the new directors indicates the government’s concern for national security, especially when it comes to media organizations. The Indian government has been taking measures to tighten its grip over the country’s media landscape, including bringing digital media and streaming services under its regulatory framework.
The acquisition of a controlling stake in NDTV by the Adani Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, has raised concerns about media ownership concentration and editorial independence.
The clearance process to the ownership and control of a specific media organization (NDTV) and does not have direct implications for the broader economy. However, the security clearance process for the new directors of NDTV indicates the government’s continued efforts to maintain control over the media landscape and ensure national security.
Can NDTV continue Independent journalism after Adani Group acquisition ?
Media ownership concentration has been a concern in India, with some fearing that it could lead to biased reporting and a lack of editorial independence. The acquisition of a controlling stake in NDTV by the Adani Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates, has further intensified this concern.
The Adani Group’s acquisition of a controlling stake in NDTV has raised concerns about editorial independence and media ownership concentration in India. The security clearance process for the proposed new directors of NDTV indicates the government’s continued efforts to maintain control over the media landscape and ensure national security.
However, It remains to be seen how the security clearance process will play out and what impact it will have on the ownership and control of NDTV. The government’s actions and policies regarding media ownership and control are important to ensure free speech, independent journalism, and the democratic process in India.
Overall, the government’s actions and policies with regards to media ownership and control are critical to ensuring the protection of free speech, independent journalism, and the democratic process in India.
