(a) whether the public opinion of the country is against the investment of foreign capital in media and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the reaction of the Government regarding the said investment;
(c) the details of the improvements done by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the adverse effects of foreign capital investment into media?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING [COL RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)]
(a) to (d): No, Sir. But Government in power carries the mandate of people of India. Hence, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has liberalized the FDI Policy in electronic media vide press note No. 5 (2016 series) dated 24.06.2016 for the broadcasting sector as under:
Sector/Activity Foreign Investment
Cap Entry Route
5.2.7.1.1
(1) Teleport (Setting up of up-linking HUBs/Teleports);
(2) Direct to Home (DTH);
(3) Cable Networks (Multi System Operators (MSOs) operating at National or State or District level and undertaking up-gradation of networks towards digitization and addressability);
(4) Mobile TV;
(5)Headend-in-the-Sky Broadcasting Service (HITS) 100% Automatic
Contd…
-2-
5.2.7.1.2
Cable Networks (Other MSOs not undertaking up-gradation of networks towards digitalization and addressability and Local Cable Operators (LCOs)
100% Automatic
5.2.7.2.1
Terrestrial Broadcasting FM (FM Radio), subject to such terms and conditions, as specified from time to time, by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, for grant of permission for setting up of FM Radio Stations. 49% Government
5.2.7.2.2
Up-linking of ‘News & Current Affairs’ TV Channels 49% Government
5.2.7.2.3
Up-linking of ‘Non-News & Current Affairs’ TV Channels, Down-linking of TV Channels 100% Automatic
However, FDI Policy in Print media vide Consolidated FDI Policy dated 07.06.2016 is as follows:
5.2.8.1
Publishing of newspaper and periodicals dealing with news and current affairs.
26% Government
5.2.8.2
Publication of Indian editions of foreign magazines dealing with news and current affairs
26% Government
5.2.8.3
Publishing/printing of scientific and technical magazines/specialty journals/ periodicals, subject to compliance with the legal framework as applicable and guidelines issued in this regard from time to time by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
100% Government
5.2.8.4
Publication of facsimile edition of foreign newspapers 100% Government
***