The Govt has permitted up to 26% FDI for digital media in the ‘news and current affairs’ space on the lines of print media. The Govts think that foreigners cannot be trusted to give unbiased news /views and therefore try to restrict their spread. When FDI was allowed in print media, restrictions were put, say all top positions, such as that of an editor, would be held by Indian citizens.

However, it is true that all foreign TV channels could be seen in India, and newspapers can be bought. Owing to online media, foreign papers cost next-to-nothing or are even free.

They allow 49% FDI in TV news which have a far greater reach than newspapers.

There is no need to distinguish between print, digital and TV in the days of convergence. Can you a newspaper that is online as digital ? What do you call a digital platform that provides news / views in both text and video? Is it digital or TV?

Are the likes of Google to be considered newspapers or aggregators?

It is not understood why they have made a distinction between uplinking and uploading/streaming when it comes to FDI limits. TV channels do uplinking and websites do uploading/streaming, but the end result is instant or near-instant watching of content.

Media wants other sectors to open up, but preserves its Bombay-club-type attitude regarding its own management.