This document discusses media ownership patterns in India. It notes that both public and private entities own parts of the Indian media. For newspapers and magazines, around 70% are privately owned by individuals, partnerships, trusts or companies. The government owns some media organizations that disseminate information but does not own newspapers directly. Films are mostly privately owned by producers and distributed through private distributors and exhibitors. Radio includes both private FM channels and public organizations like All India Radio. In conclusion, the media landscape involves a mix of public and private ownership with some government oversight.

1. Media and Ownership Patterns of
Mass Media
(Media Law)
By Manas Bulchandani
B.A.LL.B.(Hons.)-IV Year
Department of Legal Studies & Research,
Barkatullah University, Bhopal.

2. Media
• Media is medium to communicate to masses.
• It includes: newspaper, radio, television, films,
internet, books, magazines, and everything that
provides the information.
MEDIA
Print Media
(E.g.: Newspapers,
Magazines, etc.)
Electronic Media
(E.g.: television,
radio, internet, social
media, etc.)

3. Need of Media
• Media is considered as fourth pillar of
democracy because it provides information,
source of entertainment, debates and
discussions, virtual classes, platform to express
views and opinions and to raise voice against
unfavourable schemes of government.
• It helps in building qualities of leadership, self-
confidence, truth, non-violence and trustworthy.

4. Ownership Patterns of Mass Media
India follows socialism and has mixed
economy. Therefore, public as well as private
sector both plays an important role in the growth
of nation.
Likely in the case of media, public authorities as
well as private individuals both own the media
in one or the other way.
The ownership pattern changes from private to
third party or public to autonomous body.

5. Newspapers & Magazines
(OWNERSHIP pattern)
Private Ownership:
It can be owned by:-
• Individual (Businessman/Industrialist)
• Partnership
• Association/Trust
• Joint Stock Company
In India, mostly around 70% of newspapers are
owned by private individuals.

6. Newspapers & Magazines
(OWNERSHIP pattern)
Public Ownership/ Governmental Organisations:
Generally, the government does not own any
newspaper and magazine. There are certain
governmental media related organisations that
releases information of various ministries in public
domain.
They are as:-
• Press Information Bureau(PIB)
• Publication Division
• Research & Reference Division
• Photo Division
• Press Council of India

7. Films
(OWNERSHIP pattern)
Private Ownership Pattern:
As soon as film is completed in its shoot, the
producer contacts distributors of one territory or
more distributors of different areas so as to sell its
film in the cinema halls. All rights of a film are
sold to distributors.
The distributor then negotiates with the
exhibitors who own chain of theatres.
Hence, private ownership of the films gets
transferred to distributors.

8. Films
(OWNERSHIP pattern)
Media-related Governmental Organisations:
There are certain media-related governmental
organisations:-
• Film Division
• Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
• National Film Archive of India
• National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)

9. Radio
(OWNERSHIP pattern)
Media(Radio) -related Governmental Organisations:
Indian Broadcasting Company came under the control of
government after its liquidation. It became Indian
Broadcasting Service.
It was later renamed to ‘All India Radio’ in 1936 and came
to be known as ‘Akashvani’ from 1957.
Radio-related governmental organisations are:
• News Service Division
• External Services Division
• Commercial Broadcasting Service

10. Radio
(OWNERSHIP pattern)
Private Ownership:
There are wide number of FM channels of
various companies/industrialists/businessman to
earn profit. Mostly, the license is granted to
them by government on periodic basis.
• Examples of FM Channels:
o Radio Mirchi Channel
o Channel by Surya Network

11. CONCLUSION
• Media is channel of communication. It has both
pros and cons. The media cant be provided with
absolute rights and privileges. Certain checks are
necessary in accordance with Article 19(2) of
Indian Constitution.
• The government holds control over media
through various organisations which works
under Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

12. THANKYOU