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Subhash Chandra, the man behind India’s first satellite channel network Zee Entertainment, has his eyes set on creating a global network that will provide an Indian perspective on current affairs around the globe.
“If you see a BBC or Al Jazeera, these are international channels. They cover news that seemingly have nothing to do with the UK or Middle East. Their coverage brings in an angle relevant to them. My intention is to create such a global news network for audiences around the globe, but with an Indian slant to the coverage,” Chandra, chairman of the Essel Group, said.
He would also focus on wellness and lifestyle programming in his media business, he added.
Talking to the media in Mumbai, Chandra raised concerns over ownership of news media, specifically television, and said the lack of transparency in the funding of news channels had diminished the credibility of televised news. With a growing number of television channels, the issue of ownership and need for stricter checks has again come into focus.
“A few entities have started news media businesses as a shield for illegal activities. Regulatory complexities are a concern and with skewed business models no corporate group wants to invest in this industry. It is high time we realise the need for a framework of rules to screen out illegal players,” Chandra said.
He said the kind of ownership did not matter as long as the source of the money was clean.
India has 368 television news stations in eight languages, which is more than double the 150 news stations in the rest of Asia and there are close to 100 licence applications pending with the government. Chandra pointed out that while there were rules about ownership, these were not being implemented effectively.
“Just like the Reserve Bank of India scrutinises every applicant for financial services before granting a licence, the government should apply the fit and proper criteria for news channels too. If not done at the earliest, it could compromise national and economic security,” he said.
Chandra said most people he and his editors spoke to said they perceived all news media (television) as “sell-outs” but they conceded news channels were their only hope of keeping abreast with what was happening around them.
“While the government has been saying the media is behaving irresponsibly, it has not taken any steps to increase scrutiny of ownership. In the recent case with Sun Tv, the home ministry and the information and broadcasting ministry have said two different things. There should be clear guidelines that should be followed,” Chandra said.
