Ownership of Indian News Media: A Deeper Dive
India's news media landscape is diverse and complex, with various stakeholders influencing the dynamics of content creation and dissemination. This article delves into the ownership structures of key players in the Indian news media industry, shedding light on who holds the reins and how their affiliations impact the news.
Network18 - Mukesh Ambani
Network18, a prominent news media conglomerate, holds significant sway in the Indian media market. The company is predominantly controlled by Mukesh Ambani through an entity called Independent Media Trust. Ambani is the sole beneficiary of funding up to Rs. 40 billion, which he utilized for acquiring control over Network18 and its subsidiaries. This capital infusion has solidified Network18's position as a major player in the Indian news media space.
Zee Media Corporation Limited - Subhash Chandra
Zee Media Corporation is another significant player in the Indian media industry, with Subhash Chandra as the behind-the-scenes promoter. Chandra has a political inclination, supporting the BJP in electoral contests. In the 2014 Haryana Assembly Election, he backed Dr. Kamal Gupta, a BJP candidate, against Savitri Jindal, the mother of Naveen Jindal, a former Congress MP and industrialist. This political maneuvering highlights the intertwining of media ownership with party affiliations.
NDTV - Radhika and Prannoy Roy
NDTV, one of India's leading news networks, is predominantly owned by Radhika and Prannoy Roy, who collectively hold around 29.18% of the stake. The remaining 14.17% is owned by Abhey Oswal through Oswal Greentech Limited, a company linked to Naveen Jindal, the former Congress MP and industrialist. Radhika Roy is also the sister of Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat, who is married to Prakash Karat, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
SUN Group - Kalanithi Maran
The SUN Group, another notable player, is owned by Kalanithi Maran. Maran holds 77% of Kal Media Services Pvt. Ltd., a company related to the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) party, which is led by Karunanidhi. This ownership structure suggests a strong link between media ownership and political affiliations, particularly in South India's DMK stronghold.
News 24 - Anuradha Prasad and BJP
News 24, a television news channel, is managed by Anuradha Prasad, who is also the managing director of BAG films and the wife of Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla from the Congress party. Notably, Anuradha Prasad's brother, Ravi Shankar Prasad, is a BJP MP and the Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology. This dual affiliation underlines the complex interplay between different political and media interests in India.
IBN Lokmat - Vijay and Rajendra Darda
IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel, is owned by Vijay Darda, a Rajya Sabha MP from the Congress party. The channel is also linked to Rajendra Darda, a former MLA in Maharashtra, adding another layer of political influence to the ownership structure. This connection highlights the close ties between media ownership and local politics in Maharashtra.
India TV - Rajat Sharma
India TV, a news channel, is owned by Rajat Sharma, a former General Secretary of ABVP (All India Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad). This background indicates a strong connection to the right-wing Hindutva agenda, underscoring how political affiliations shape media ownership in India.
India News - Karthikeya Sharma's Diverse Portfolio
India News, another prominent news channel, is owned by Karthikeya Sharma, a member of the ITV Media group that operates several news channels, including News X. Karthikeya Sharma, along with his brother Manu, has a controversial past, as they were convicted in the Jessica Lal murder case. This case has cast a shadow over their professional and personal lives, and their ownership of media channels highlights the complex intersection of crime, politics, and media in India.
Sahara India Parivar - Subarta Roy and Lavish Partying
Sahara India Parivar, a network of national and regional news channels, is owned by Subarta Roy, who is famous for throwing lavish parties at his Sahara City in Lucknow. These grand celebrations often invite the entire state or national cabinet, reflecting the interplay between media, politics, and social festivities in India. Roy's extravagant lifestyle and his control over a major media network underscore the influence of these entertainment and political dynamics in shaping media ownership.
Conclusion
The landscape of Indian news media is intricately tied to various political and business interests. This article has highlighted some key players and ownership structures, revealing the complexities and contradictions that define the media landscape in India. It is evident that the intertwining of media and politics significantly influences the content and direction of news in the country, often blurring the line between information and influence.