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Seemingly diverse & varied, India’s media market is actually highly concentrated. Most leading media cos are owned by large conglomerates controlled by founding families; some have political ties, says @RSF_en & @data_LEADS. Follow thread for insights:
India has more than 118,239 registered publications, incl 36,000 weekly magazines; more than 550 FM radio stations; more than 880 satellite TV channels incl 380 that claim to broadcast “news and current affairs”; and “unfathomable” number of news websites 
This profusion of media outlets does not translate into a variety in supply. The study shows a significant trend towards concentration and, ultimately, control of content and public opinion
The research analysed 58 leading media outlets with largest audience shares. 4 outlets–Dainik Jagran, Hindustan, Amar Ujala & Dainik Bhaskar–capture 3 of 4 readers (76.45% readership) in the national Hindi language market, making it “highly concentrated”
Regional language media markets are highly concentrated too. In each regional market segment, the respective top 2 newspapers concentrate more than half of readership or more
In radio sector, state-controlled All India Radio (AIR) has monopoly on news, & is the largest radio network in the world covering various languages, social-economic groups. Pvt FM stations licensed for “music & entertainment” not allowed to produce news
Media laws on concentration of ownership are fragmented, incoherent & ineffective. TV ratings are non-transparent. Self-regulatory bodies such as BARC, NBA & NBSA set rules & effectively regulate TV market, serving interests of the industry they represent
Regulatory framework to safeguard pluralism & prevent concentration has no specific means to measure, no thresholds to limit ownership concentration in print, television or online. Some existing laws are more than 100 years old and out of sync with present reality
Most media co.’s have business and political affiliations, which become more straightforward and visible as one goes deeper into the regional level. This interdependence between media, business & politics presents a high risk to media freedom & pluralism
Govts use political leverage by rewarding/punishing media outlets through allocation/non-allocation of advertising; govt ads play an important role in their economic health. No figures were available for govt advertising on TV, despite RTI applications
To read more about the research click on the link: india.mom-rsf.org
