Cross ownership in media a matter of debate: I&B Minister

However, Javadekar refused to comment on the recent take-over of the Network 18 group by the Reliance Industries Ltd

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar today said the cross ownership in media was "a matter of debate" and the government was seeking views of all stakeholders on it.

He, however, refused to comment on the recent take-over of the Network 18 group by the Reliance Industries Ltd.

"This is not a government action," Javadekar said told reporters here.

He said, "Cross media ownership is definitely a matter of debate and we are seeking views of all on it."

Asked if the deal smacked of "crony capitalism", the minister said, "if a company is executing a take-over within the legal framework, the union government has nothing to do with it."

"When we talk of crony capitalism it is through... government actions. The crony capitalism in the projects like airport, road should not happen," he said.