Trend is towards control of content

The production of media content and its distribution are becoming increasingly combined and concentrated in the hands of a few, finds the Media Ownership Monitor (MOM), a research project carried out in India over the past six months by Reporters Without Borders and the Delhi-based digital media company DataLEADS.

The study, presented in Delhi on Wednesday, also assesses the media space as a narrow one, comprising of the state’s monopoly in radio news and highly concentrated regional newspaper markets that are controlled by a small number of powerful owners, some of whom have strong political affiliations.

“Our research captures ownership structures and reflects on media pluralism to strengthen media ownership transparency, which is fundamental to media’s credibility and its relationship with audiences,” said Syed Nazakat, founder and CEO of DataLEADS.

According to most recent data as of March 31, 2018, there were over 1,18,239 publications registered with the Registrar of Newspapers. There are over 550 FM radio stations in the country and, according to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, over 880 satellite TV channels, including over 380 which claim to be broadcasting “news and current affairs”.

However, the multiplicity of media outlets does not automatically translate into a variety in supply. The MOM indicates rather the opposite – a significant trend towards concentration and, ultimately, control of content and public opinion.

Media monopoly

The study analysed 58 leading media outlets with the largest audience shares in India. The research revealed that the country’s print media market is highly concentrated. Four outlets – Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Amar Ujala and Dainik Bhaskar – capture three out of four readers (76.45% of readership share) within the national Hindi language market.

Similarly, regional language media markets are highly concentrated. The study’s findings show that in each of those market segments, the respective top two newspapers concentrate more than half of readership shares or more. For example, out of five Tamil newspapers, the top two titles combine a readership share of two-thirds.

Regulatory flaws

The high level of concentration comes as a result of considerable gaps in the regulatory framework to safeguard media pluralism and prevent media concentration.

Neither specific means to measure nor thresholds to limit ownership concentration in print, television and the online sector are in place.

The patches of regulation that exist do not seem to be properly implemented, the study finds. Law in India does not regulate cross-media concentrationeither.