Trai studying stakeholder views on cross-media ownership

The telecom watchdog Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is presently evaluating stakeholders' response on the issue of need for cross-media ownership, a senior official said.

"We are evaluating the response of stakeholders on various issues that are connected with the consultation papers on cross-media ownership," Trai Principal Advisor N Parameswaran told reporters here today.

Based on its consultation papers, the regulatory body had solicited suggestions and comments from the stakeholders, Parameswaran said, adding that, "we have received response from 35 stakeholders."

"In December last, we held an open-house session in Delhi and are now evaluating those views as well," he said.

Media houses argue that media businesses require huge capital investments and have long gestation periods ranging up to 10-years or more and imposing cross-holding limits at this stage will retard the growth of the media industry.

They also argue that it would affect the efficiency of the media businesses.