“Government should ensure facilitation not regulation,” India Today Group Chairman Aroon Purie on broadcasting industry
Mumbai, October 7, 2025: Aroon Purie, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India Today Group, delivered a keynote address at FICCI FRAMES 2025, where he highlighted the strengths and challenges faced by the Indian media industry, reports 24brussels.
Purie emphasized that India stands as a dominant force in the global news media landscape, boasting over 140,000 registered publications. He noted that just in Delhi, numerous English and regional newspapers circulate daily. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reported that the country hosts around 900 permitted satellite channels, including more than 324 24-hour news channels.
Describing the Indian media as a “gigantic industry,” Purie discussed ongoing challenges in the broadcasting sector. He pointed out that the introduction of cable channels led to a lenient distribution system, but broadcasters later faced the burden of paying carriage fees to cable operators. Purie asserted that even digitization has not alleviated issues related to pricing regulations imposed by TRAI that inhibit market dynamics.
Purie expressed that the potential for employment growth exists if the government pivots from regulatory measures to facilitation. He critiqued governmental policies, stating, “The government has made a mess of the broadcasting industry with the lack of foresight and aggressive policies.” He advocates for a role that emphasizes facilitation rather than regulation.
He further mentioned the financial difficulties plaguing many news channels, remarking, “Today, most of the news channels are losing money. The business model is already cracking.” Purie noted the anomaly of a struggling industry inviting new entrants.
In addressing the impact of digital advancements, the India Today Group Chairman discussed how technologies can enhance current models and foster a direct bond with audiences. He remarked, “Google, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter have become the world’s new editor-in-chief. They produce no journalism but control its distribution.”
Purie acknowledged the disruptions caused by digital platforms as a reality that must be navigated to ensure a sustainable future rooted in journalism’s quality. He expressed, “Disruption is not a problem, but a new normal. The challenge is to build a future where journalism is valuable. We survive on the stories we tell.”
This year’s FICCI FRAMES marks its silver jubilee, celebrating two decades of innovation, collaboration, and growth in the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector. The theme for this edition is “RISE Together” – Reimagine, Innovate, Strengthen, Empower.
