The Government of India will accept an enhanced shareholding of NDTV

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently shared the revised shareholding and the list of 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. Policy Guidelines for Upgrading and Downgrading of Television Channels in India, 2022, NDTV had informed the ministry about the change in shareholding.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said the Home Ministry is still waiting to issue security clearances to the proposed new directors. NDTV has submitted the details of the proposed new directors to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The move to obtain security clearance for the new directors shows the government’s concern for national security, especially when it comes to media organizations. The Indian government has been taking steps to strengthen its control over the country’s media landscape, including regulating digital media and streaming services.

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 freedom.

It is a process of ownership and control of a particular media company (NDTV) and has no direct implications for the wider economy. However, the security clearance process of NDTV’s new directors shows the government’s efforts to control the media landscape and ensure national security.

Can NDTV continue as an independent journalist after being bought by the Adani group?

The concentration of media ownership has been a concern in India, with some fearing it could lead to biased reporting and a lack of editorial freedom. The acquisition of a controlling stake in NDTV by Adani Group, one of the largest companies in India, has further strengthened this concern.

The Adani group’s acquisition of a controlling stake in NDTV has raised concerns about editorial freedom and media ownership in India. The security clearance process for the proposed new directors of NDTV shows the government’s efforts to control the media landscape and ensure national security.

However, it remains to be seen how the security clearance process will be conducted and what impact it will have on the ownership and control of NDTV. Government actions and policies regarding media ownership and control are essential to ensure freedom of expression, free journalism and the democratic process in India.

Government actions and policies regarding media ownership and control in general are critical to safeguarding freedom of speech, free journalism and the democratic process in India.