News Broadcasting

‘Self regulation of media hasn’t failed Indian news completely:’ Dr Subhash Chandra

Published

10 years ago

October 14, 2015

MUMBAI: In this era of ‘byte journalism,’ where media is either accused of paid news or being sold out for advertisement revenue, how to balance compulsion and competition was the question of the hour raised at the recently held IAA Conversations.

Spearheaded by journalist and author Shankkar Aiyer, the discussion saw media mogul and Essel Group chairman Dr Subhash Chandra analyse if news neutrality is but a myth in our country or is it an achievable fete. Stating that the role of media is to inform rather than reform, Chandra emphasised that news anchors should refrain from becoming arbitrators of news.

While Chandra’s take on ‘Google’ journalism isn’t very positive, he certainly credits the digital medium for revolutionising the way news is consumed.

“Digital medium has helped us in the news business tremendously. You not only get news in 140 words, but you can also gauge what news consumers are engaging in. It is no longer just an editorial call, but the nerve of the news consumers can be gathered through various social network engagements. That is where news media comes in. We pick up those pointers, and then give them more information around it. To some extent it also safeguards the interest of the consumers as the decision to what to pick up and what not to is more on the public’s hand,” he says, adding that the follow up by print and broadcast media is very essential as digital media doesn’t have the tool of infrastructure to do such in depth elaboration of the news.

According to him, the key factors that work against news neutrality, especially in broadcast news is the lack of transparency in their ownership as well as faulty editorial regulation from within the system.

“I can bet that 70 per cent of owners of the 300 something news channels airing in our country are not eligible to do so. The country’s law is very clear that no political party or religious group should own any channel. But still they do,” says Chandra adding that he wouldn’t be surprised if two of the channels are owned by notorious criminals like Dawood Ibrahim.

The way ahead, according to him, is to suggest to the government of India to look deeper into the actual ownership and investigate the stakeholders of media organisations and ultimately have their ownership transparent to the viewers, who can then decide for themselves.

When asked about his thoughts on the allowance of 49 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in news media in India, Chandra was prompt to reply that he is all in for ‘100 per cent FDI in news media’ as long as the foreign nationals allow the same stakes for Indian investors in their media. “If a US company is to own 100 per cent in a news media company here, Indian companies must be allowed to do the same in the US,” he says.

It is interesting to note that Chandra doesn’t find it wrong that a big corporation owns a certain media organisation, as long as the corporate veil is lifted to the public. “Corporate ownership is not illegal as per our law, though it may become unethical,” he says.

Chandra explains the latter issue of self-regulation by citing an example from within his own organisation. “I am aware of the unethical practices that have seeped within Zee News as well. Recently, I was informed of a stringer from Zee News in Hoshiarpur Punjab, who would collect evidences of corruption against builders, administrators, politicians and businessmen and blackmail them for money through agents. You see, it’s very easy to find scoop against such people. They ask for Rs 5,000 for not running it and Rs 1,000 for running it,” revealed Chandra, even congratulating the media who were successful in busting the scam.

On another instance, news brokers have been heard of sitting outside police stations in Haryana, looking out for victims whose FIRs have not been filed or other discrepancies by the police. “They promise to highlight their story through media in exchange for some money,” Chandra informs. While one may think of this as a social service in favour of the victim, Chandra is of the opinion that this goes against the ethics of a journalist and is no better than paid news.

The problem doesn’t only exist at the grassroots level of a media organisation. “This happens across levels – even at editor and sub-editor level,” reflects the media honcho. There are plenty of cases when a report, filed by a reporter becomes completely different by the time it is published or aired. “Those who report and file a story are at the very base of the news chain. The same report then goes through input and output editor. Then there is the entire organisation’s editorial that gives its own colour to the story. The publishers then add the final touch on whatever is left of the story,” Chandra adds wryly.

There are countless examples of how news media manipulates the truth, or in some cases become part of it, and Chandra regretfully admits that he hasn’t been able to put a stop to it.

While Chandra recognises their evils of news media colouring the news with opinion and judgements, he still doesn’t think there is any need of an external regulatory body. As per him, self regulation hasn’t completely failed Indian journalism, and he still has faith in it.

“We have put technological engines in place, which will be used post January 2016,” Chandra says while introducing a new self monitory mechanism that Zee News will put in place. “The moment somebody starts working on a story or any news – there is no way it won’t get recorded through the technological engine itself. And what happens with the story up to what level will be available. We feel this will help us control biases about the story by about 90 per cent.”

Chandra signs off from the conversation pregnant with ideas of a news analysis program that not only reviews the headlines on newspapers every morning, but also dissects the prime time news discussions of the previous night.

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News Broadcasting

Barc forensic audit in TRP row awaits as Twenty-Four probe gathers pace

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

KERALA: A forensic audit commissioned by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India has emerged as the centrepiece of the government’s response to fresh allegations of television rating point manipulation involving a regional news channel in Kerala, with both the audit findings and a parallel police investigation still awaited.

Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L Murugan, said Barc had appointed an independent agency to conduct a forensic probe into the conduct of senior personnel allegedly linked to the case.

The move followed media reports claiming that a Barc employee had accepted bribes to manipulate viewership data in favour of a regional television news channel.

“The report from BARC is still awaited,” Murugan told Parliament, signalling that the forensic exercise remains ongoing.

Industry specialists say forensic audits are crucial in alleged TRP fraud cases, as they examine internal controls, data access trails, panel household integrity, staff communications and financial transactions. The outcome could determine whether the alleged manipulation was an isolated breach or a deeper systemic weakness in India’s television measurement framework.

Running alongside the audit, the Kerala Police has formed a special investigation team to probe the allegations. The ministry has sought a preliminary report from the state’s director general of police, including details of action taken on the first information report. That report, too, is yet to be submitted.

The episode has revived long-standing concerns over the vulnerability of India’s TRP system, particularly in regional news markets where competition for ratings is fierce and advertising revenues hinge on weekly viewership rankings.

India’s sole television audience measurement body Barc, has faced scrutiny before, most notably during the nationwide TRP controversy involving news channels in 2020. While tighter compliance norms were introduced in the aftermath, the latest allegations suggest enforcement challenges may persist.

On regulatory consequences, the government said any punitive action against television channels, including suspension or cancellation of uplinking and downlinking permissions, would be governed by the Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels issued in November 2022, and would depend on investigation outcomes and due process.

The ministry also pointed to ongoing efforts to overhaul the ratings ecosystem. Television measurement continues to be regulated under the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014. Draft amendments were released for public consultation in July 2025, followed by a revised version in November 2025, aimed at tightening audit mechanisms and improving transparency and representativeness.

In November 2025, Barc said it had taken note of allegations aired by Malayalam news channel Twenty-Four, which linked an internal employee to irregularities in audience measurement. The council said it had engaged a “reputed independent agency” to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit, underscoring the seriousness of the claims.

The ratings system sits at the heart of India’s broadcast advertising economy, shaping billions of rupees in annual ad spends. With trust in audience data once again under strain, advertisers, broadcasters and regulators are closely watching the outcome of the investigations.

Barc has urged industry stakeholders and media organisations to exercise restraint while the probe is underway, calling for an end to “unverified or speculatory claims” and reiterating its commitment to integrity and accountability.

Until the forensic audit and police findings are submitted and reviewed, the government said it would refrain from drawing conclusions.

News Broadcasting

Rajat Sharma defamation row: Delhi court summons Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the summoning of senior Congress leaders Ragini Nayak, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh in a criminal case filed by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma, sharpening a legal battle over alleged defamation and doctored digital content.

The order was passed on Monday by Devanshi Janmeja, judicial magistrate first class at Saket Courts, after the court found prima facie grounds to proceed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, creation of false electronic records and defamation.

Sharma, chairman and editor-in-chief of India TV, had approached the court over allegations made in June 2024 that he had used derogatory language against Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak during a live television debate. He denied the charge, claiming it was fuelled by a manipulated video circulated online.

According to the complaint, a clipped version of the broadcast carrying superimposed captions, which were not part of the original programme, was first shared on social media platform X by Nayak and later amplified through retweets and public statements by Khera and Ramesh. Sharma said the viral spread caused serious reputational harm and personal distress.

The court took note of forensic science laboratory findings that pointed to visible post-production alterations in the video, including added titles and captions. It also cited witness testimonies from those present during the live broadcast, who stated that no abusive or objectionable language had been used.

In a related civil matter, the Delhi High Court had earlier observed a prima facie absence of abusive remarks and directed the removal of the disputed social media posts.

With criminal proceedings now set in motion, the case adds to mounting scrutiny around political messaging, digital manipulation and accountability on social media platforms.

News Broadcasting

Mukesh Ambani, Larry Fink come together for CNBC-TV18 exclusive

Reliance and BlackRock chiefs map the future of investing as global capital eyes India

Published

2 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: India’s capital story takes centre stage today as Mukesh Ambani and Larry Fink sit down for a rare joint television conversation, bringing together two of the most powerful voices in global business at a moment of economic churn and opportunity.

The Reliance Industries chief and the BlackRock boss will speak with Shereen Bhan, managing editor of CNBC-TV18, in an exclusive interaction airing from 3:00 pm on February 4. The timing is deliberate. Geopolitics are tense, technology is disruptive and capital is choosier. India, meanwhile, is pitching itself as a long-term bet.

The pairing is symbolic. Reliance straddles energy transition, digital infrastructure and consumer growth in the world’s fastest-expanding major economy. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, oversees more than $14 tn in assets and sits at the nerve centre of global capital flows. When the two talk, markets tend to listen.

Fink’s appearance marks his third India visit, a signal of the country’s rising strategic weight for the Wall Street-listed firm, which carries a market value above $177 bn. His earlier 2023 trips included an October stop in New Delhi, where he met both Ambani and Narendra Modi.

India is now central to BlackRock’s expansion plans, notably through its joint venture with Jio Financial Services. Announced in July 2023, the 50:50 venture, JioBlackRock, commits up to $150 mn each from the partners to build a digital-first asset-management platform aimed at India’s swelling investor class.

The backdrop is robust. BlackRock ended 2025 with record assets under management of $14.04 tn, helped by $698 bn in net inflows, including $342 bn in the fourth quarter alone. Scale gives Fink both heft and a long lens on where money is moving.

He has been openly bullish on India. At the Saudi-US Investment Summit in Riyadh last year, Fink argued that the “fog of global uncertainty is lifting”, with capital returning to dynamic markets such as India, drawn by reforms, demographics and durable return potential.

Expect the conversation to range beyond balance sheets, into technology’s role in finance, access to capital and the mechanics of sustainable growth in a fracturing world order. For investors and policymakers alike, it is a snapshot of how big money is thinking about India.

At a time when capital is cautious and growth is contested, India wants to be the exception. When Ambani and Fink share a stage, it is less a chat and more a signal. The world’s money is still looking for its next big story, and India intends to be it.