No unanimity on increasing FDI in print media, says Ambika Soni

NEW DELHI: Government said there was no unanimity on increasing FDI in the print media from the existing 26 per cent.

"There is no unanimity over increasing the FDI quotient in print media...the debate in this regard has not been conclusive," Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told the Lok Sabha during Question Hour.

She said as per the print media policy, foreign newspapers dealing mainly with news and current affairs were not being allowed to bring out Indian editions.

A foreign publishing house which owns a foreign newspaper has also been allowed to bring out the facsimile edition of the foreign newspaper through its wholly-owned Indian subsidiary, she said.

"Although the facsimile editions of foreign newspapers are allowed, they are not allowed to carry advertisements in any form aimed at Indian subscribers," Soni said.

These and other measures such as limiting the FDI in the news sector of the print media has benefited the domestic newspaper industry, she said.

To a question, the minister said the government was making all efforts to ensure that Urdu and regional language newspapers were given more advertisements through the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP).