Time for a new regulator for media?

India's creative industries need regulation that helps them grow, not one that micro-manages them or neglects them completely

Is it time to talk about an independent-of-the-government media regulator? Over five days last week at the industry’s biggest event, the Fe­deration of Indian Chambers of Co­m­merce and Industry (FICCI) Fra­mes, the picture was bleak. “If I look at the full year 2020, we will see the sector shrink from $20 billion to $15 billion. It is estimated that around 15 per cent to 20 per cent of our workforce may lose their jo­bs,” said Sanjay Gupta, country manager and vice-president, Google India, and chairman, FICCI media and entertainment (M&E) committee. That means of the five million Indians employed in