TRAI extends date for receiving comments on Media Ownership to June 7

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the last date to receive comments/ counter-comments on its Consultation Paper on “Issues Relating to Media Ownership”. TRAI had released this Consultation Paper on April 12, 2022.

The last date of receiving comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper from the stakeholders, which was fixed as May 10, 2022, has now been extended to June 7, 2022; while the last date for receiving counter-comments, which was fixed as May 24, 2022, has now been extended to June 21, 2022.

This has been done keeping in view the requests received from the stakeholders for extension of time for submission of comments on the Consultation Paper on the ground that it requires in-depth study on many issues.

Media being the fourth pillar of democracy, performs a vital role in the personification of the constitutional goals and aspirations. Considering the importance of media in implementing the constitutional precept of freedom of speech and expression in letter and spirit, TRAI has sent its various recommendations to the government on issues relating to media ownership. The last of such recommendations was sent on August 12, 2014.

The Authority has received a reference from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, seeking reconsideration of its 2014 Recommendations and issuance of a fresh set of recommendations in the light of the emerging changes in the media and entertainment industry, particularly with the advent of new digital technologies such as Over-the-top platforms (OTT).

The Consultation Paper seeks views of the stakeholders on need, nature, and levels of safeguards with respect to issues relating to media ownership, particularly cross-media ownership and vertical integration in the broadcasting sector.