Centre not in hurry for 100 per cent FDI in news: Javadekar

[Dileep Kumar]

MUMBAI: While general entertainment channels enjoy the liberty of having 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), News channels are restricted to having just 26 per cent. With a new government at the center, all eyes are on the new Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar to bring in some changes.
A pertinent question asked by journalists to Javadekar was regarding the same. According to a PTI report, he is said to have assured journalists that his Ministry is busy collecting views of the stakeholders related to the issue of allowing 100 per cent FDI in News media.
“We want to take the views of all the stakeholders before we take a final decision if we should give a go-ahead for the 100 per cent FDI in News media. We are not in a hurry to go for the same,” he said to PTI.
On the sidelines, he also addressed the issue of paid news stating that a meeting of the council of ministers will be held soon to discuss the matter. Highlighting two types of paid news, Javadekar said, “The first one is related to the elections, the other one was directly connected to the privately-owned business newspapers.” He added that a final meeting of the committee on paid news will be held today of which he is also a member. Centre not in hurry for 100 per cent FDI in news: Javadekar | Indian Television Dot Com