Ban political party ownership of TV channels, says Trai's Rahul Khullar

In order to check political power and money from influencing news and views, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended that political parties should be barred from ownership of TV channels and restrictions imposed on corporate houses investing in the media.

Trai has also recommended a single independent media regulatory authority comprising predominantly of eminent non-media persons for TV and print media to check and impose penalties for paid news, private treaties and issues related to editorial independence. It has opposed any government regulation of the media.

"Ownership is a huge concern. How do you know that a TV channel operated out of Bhopal, owned by a local MLA or MP is conveying the truth rather than tinted version of the truth. This is one problem with political ownership," Trai Chairman Rahul Khullar said in the national capital on Tuesday while releasing recommendations on 'Issues Relating to Media Ownership'.

About corporate ownership, Trai said that it has to be seen as to how much independence is enjoyed by the editorial team in a media house owned by them.

"Second problem with media corporate ownership is this business of advertorials, private treaties. I am sorry to say it has reached scandalous proportions. You cannot carry on by passing out advertisements as news," Khullar said.

Trai also recommended that in case of advertorials, a clear disclaimer should be mandated to be printed in bold letters stating that the content has been paid for.

On corporates entering the media, Trai said, "On grounds of the inherent conflict of interest, the Authority recommends that ownership restrictions on corporates entering the media should be seriously considered by the government and the regulator."