News Broadcasting
Norms for FDI in non-news segment laid out
NEW DELHI: The long wait is over. Some global media companies like Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, The National Geographic Society, the UK-based Pearson group and Australian Kerry Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings can enter the Indian print sector in the non-news segment.
The government today formalised and issued the guidelines for FDI in technical, scientific, specialty magazines, journals, periodicals and foreign investment in Indian entities publishing scientific, technical, specialty magazines, journals.
The guidelines say an application will have to be made to the ministry of information and broadcasting in the prescribed format to determine the nature of contents of the publication. Application fee of Rs 5,000 shall have to be deposited through a demand draft in favour of the Pay & Accounts Officer, I&B ministry payable at New Delhi.
The Indian government had earlier this year decided to allow these publications and foreign investment upto 74 per cent in Indian entities publishing such technical and non-news journals on a case-by-case basis. FDI up to 26 per cent has been allowed in the news category, the guidelines of which will take some more time to be firmed up, a senior I&B ministry official told indiantelevision.com today.
The application shall be processed by the I&B ministry, after due inter-ministerial consultations, to decide whether the proposed publication is covered under the category of scientific, technical or specialty magazine, periodical, journal, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau on behalf of the I&B ministry.
Representatives of the ministries/specialist bodies and language experts concerned, as found necessary, will be associated in this task.
Global media companies like News Corp, CPH and even the Pearson group (publishers of the Financial Times seeking a tie-up with India’s business daily Business Standard) have various publications which can fall under this category and may have a market in India through their Indian editions.
As per the government statement, in appropriate cases, the I&B ministry will issue an approval, subject to compliance with the provisions of the Press and Registration of Books Act and Rules made thereunder for publication of the foreign journals or `No Objection’ certificate for foreign investment, a copy of which would be sent to RNI/SIA/RBI and the applicant.
Determination of category assigned to the publication(s) is liable for review by the I&B ministry if the contents of the publication(s) undergo change at a later date. Title verification shall continue to be done by the Press Registrar as per existing procedure.
In cases where both FDI and FII investment is envisaged, the applicant may approach the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and/or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for clearance after obtaining the NoC from the I&B ministry.
In cases involving only portfolio investment, the applicant may approach the RBI, for further clearance, if any, after obtaining the NoC from the ministry which will keep the Secretariat for Industrial Assistance and the RBI informed of the FDI projected by the company and the balance permissible foreign investment on the portfolio investment route, while communicating the NoC.
Total foreign investment up to 74 per cent may be allowed. Guidelines of the ministry of finance on FDI and portfolio investment would apply subject to the overall ceiling of 74 per cent as mentioned. All cases involving foreign investment shall be handled by the prescribed agencies, viz. FDI on the Government approval route through the mechanism of the FIPB and portfolio investment by the RBI.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
