(IFJ/IFEX) - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the Indian government to intervene in the proposal to corporatise a news service which informs millions throughout India.
In a letter sent on December 20 to the Indian prime minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, the IFJ stated its deep concern for the future of media diversity in India, after the proposal to sell a majority (60 per cent) stake of the United News of India (UNI) to a single media owner, Zee Telefilms.
"The IFJ is strongly opposed to this proposal, which has the potential to crumble the foundations of media diversity which have long existed in India," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.
"It is unthinkable that a major corporate player might take over a longstanding independent provider of news, a situation which would undoubtedly reduce the plurality of voices in the Indian mediascape as well as the media's capacity to scrutinise publicly accountable figures," Warren said.
While the matter is still before the courts, the Company Law Board on December 5 declared that the proposal is not bona fide and prima facie not valid, a move welcomed by the IFJ.
The IFJ, supported by IFJ affiliates including the National Union of Journalists (India) and the All India Newspaper Employees Federation, calls on the Indian government to intervene to introduce early legislation that would extinguish the proposal and prevent any future corporate take over attempts.
Three members of Parliament, Ali Anwar, Khabiruddin Ahmed, and Rudra Narayan
Pani, have added their voices to the protest, while on November 23, Moinul Hassan raised the matter in the Upper House, questioning the government on its stance.
"A diversity of media ownership, particularly of agencies, is absolutely essential to the healthy functioning of a democracy within any nation," the IFJ president said.
"The UNI situation is symbolic of a global trend towards media monopolisation, and one which desperately needs our voices and our campaigning in this crucial fight," he said.
